If you're suffering from sleep apnea and snoring, then you're likely waking up tired. Since sleep apnea cannot be self-diagnosed, so if you suspect you have it, it's best to consult with a doctor. Your doctor will likely prescribe you a CPAP mask, which is a common choice for keeping your breathing in place during your night rest. However, not all CPAP masks are made the same. You should consider several things before buying yours. Some people such as nose-breathers and people who sleep on their back will benefit from nasal pillow masks. These are ideal for people with facial hair as they fit the face properly and don't cause the claustrophobic feeling a face mask can bring.
Sleep Apnea
Snoring is a common sound that occurs during sleep. It's not controllable as it happens when the tissue and muscles of the throat, tongue and mouth relax during sleep and cause a vibrating sound when the person breathes. Most people who snore have sleep apnea which is a sleep disorder that interrupts breathing that causes the snoring sound. It’s a serious sleep disorder because breathing is interrupted during their sleep.
People with sleep apnea stop breathing numerous times (sometimes up to hundreds of times) during the night. If it's not treated, sleep apnea can cause numerous health problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. There are two types of sleep apnea obstructive and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common and occurs as repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway blockage during sleep.
When this happens, the diaphragm and chest muscles work harder as the pressure rises to open the airway. Breathing usually returns with a loud gasp or body jerk. When a person has central sleep apnea, the airways aren't blocked but the brain doesn't signal the muscles to breathe because there is instability in the respiratory control centre.
What's a Nasal Mask?
Nasal pillow masks have a triangular shape and sit on the face around the nose. It’s kept in place by headgear in the form of stretchy straps that go around the nose. They come in different sizes for different sizes and shapes of noses. These masks are ideal for nose-breathers. Mouth-breathers can the mask with a chin strap which is a stretchy strap that goes around the head and under the chin to keep the mouth closed at night. People who mostly breathe through their mouths shouldn't use a nose mask. Nose masks aren't suitable for people who have facial hair, as they'll block the mask from sealing onto the skin.
Nasal Pillows for CPAP Therapy
A nasal pillow is a type of CPAP mask made of plastic inserts that resemble headphone earbuds that slip into the nostrils. The prescribed pressure used to keep the airway open now comes through the mask. Its small cushions rest at the end of the nose and relieve problems such as air leaks and claustrophobia.
Benefits of Using a Nasal Pillow Mask
Nasal pillows are a superb choice for people who suffer from claustrophobia. Even if you don't, it could be a challenge to tolerate a large head mask and sleep with it. Some people find it upsetting to wear a mask that blocks their eyes. In this case, nasal pillows are going to do a great job as they're not going to obstruct your vision and have little direct contact with the face.
Good for Facial Hair
Men with facial hair such as big moustaches or beards could have a problem sealing a standard CPAP mask on their faces. To reduce the air leak, men with facial hair will benefit from a simple nasal pillow mask as it will feel more comfortable and will put the CPAP pressure directly into the nostrils.
No Face Marks
Many people opt out of such masks as they don't leave marks on the face. A classic face mask will leave deep and visible marks on the face, which can be unpleasant and not very aesthetic. Such marks will need time to reduce, and since not everyone has time to wait for that (especially in the morning), nasal masks are a better choice. Some people like to have multiple mask styles to rotate from day to day as this will minimize markings from the mask.
What to Consider?
Even though these masks seem far better than regular CPAP masks, they aren't for everyone. Some people don't find them comfortable and the pillows could feel ticklish or irritate the nostrils. In case the mask doesn't fit well it can cause sores within the nose. What's important is that the mask has a proper size; if it's too small, the air may leak out around it and lower the effectiveness of the treatment.
In case it's too large, it may stretch the nostrils which can be quite uncomfortable. If you have sensitive skin, you may develop a reaction to the plastic. Even if you aren't allergic to anything, the constant use of a poor-fitting mask can cause nostril ulcers. These things aren't uncommon, so it's important to know them and purchase the right size.
