Sleep Apnea Blog

Archive for the ‘Sleep Apnea Mask’ Category

DW has tried a medium mask, small mask and now nasal pillows for sleep apnea. The cpap includes a humidifier. I don’t think she has slept with the mask on thru the night more than 3 times in the last 3 years.

Has she tried the full mask or just the nasal type masks?

I have a full mask with head gear and it has to be adjusted around the forehead and the chin. Some people even have to sleep with a chin strap.

She also may need to change the seeting on her humidifier to be more or less than what she has it set for now.

Sometimes the brand that of mask that you use can cause irritation during the evening. Try using a different brand.

There is also a special pillow that has cutouts so that the mask is more comfortable to use. I personally did not like it but others can not live without it. It is made from memory foam.

I am scheduled to have a sleep apnea sleep study next Saturday, but I was wondering, since it takes three weeks for the results of the study, what can I do to improve my sleep and breathing until then. I am fairly certain I have sleep apnea but I cannot get the mask until we are for sure about it. I am tired all the time, what can I do about this?

Here is what you can do, but I don’t know how much will help you:

* try sleeping on your side rather than sleeping on your back as it can produces loud snores because of blockages.

* elevate the head when you sleep. This measure can alleviate snoring and make breathing easier.

* Use an air humidifier at nighttime to make the air moister.

* don’t smoke for at leas several hours prior to bedtime. Doing so, the smoke can cause the airways to tighten in the neck, worsening sleep apnea.

* maintain regular sleep hours. In my case, I had to quit my shift work job, to have a normal sleep.

* use a nasal dilator, saline nasal spray or breathe right strips to help open nasal passages.

I hope it helps!

Treatment Options: Medication, etc.

There are nose pillows, and also a surgery that places some sort of thing inside your mouth in the back where you cannot truly notice it that can help. Weight loss will help greatly. I have sleep apnea and I know that it can be cumbersome and some poeple cant stand anything on their face. But from day 1 for me I got used to it. I have recently tried to sleep without it and can make it 2 or 3 night without now where I couldnt several months ago. But you do need to use it if you have been diagnosed. Not using it can cause you to have heart problems also and you could stop breathing and never start back up…….check into the sorts of different things you can do to help other than the mask.

Having gone through this – it’s a matter of ‘retraining’ the brain to understand that Bed is for sleeping !

If you can’t get to sleep within about 15 mins., get up, go to another room, have a cuppa, read a book (don’t watch TV) until the eyes start feeling tired.
Go back to bed, take a few deep breaths and relax.

Repeat as required, which may take several nights.
The important thing is not to lie in bed Trying to get to sleep, get up and start again.

8 out of 10 people suffer from lack of sleep – 3 out of 4 post- operative patients suffer from this!

It’s important not to stimulate the brain before bedtime – stop watching TV an hour before going to bed – don’t have alcohol/coffee/cola or anything with caffeine in it – try to empty your mind of the days activities.

I have sleep apnea and use a sleep apnea breathing machine when sleeping (no oxygen) with a mask and distilled water. When travelling on an airplane internationally can I bring it with me so it is with me at the other country when I get there?

Hello !

I know that most personnel at security checkpoints in airports are familiar with CPAP machines. t’s advisable to carry along your prescription and/or statement of medical necessity from your physician so that you can demonstrate the need for your CPAP machine.

I found from different sources that many CPAP users report no problems getting through the X-ray machine and passing the subsequent explosives and chemical tests, while others are forced to check their CPAP machines because they don’t pass the X-ray check.

My recommendation would therefore be to expect to be able to take your CPAP machine on an airplane with you, but don’t be surprised if you end up having to check it. And don’t forget your prescription from your doctor!

Good luck!

I have sleep apnea and the mask that helps me the most is the nose mask. ! i was tired all day and fell asleep as soon as i got home from work, the apnea and snorning didnt leave me much time for a good nights sleep. NOW i feel like a new and smarter person because i can finally get a good nights sleep. plus,,,, the wife is getting her rest also from not checking on me to see if im breathing and my lack of snoring isnt keeping her awake.. we have solved 2 problems with this wonderful devise!! so your tec will get you fitted with what is the best fit for you , dont be short on questions either. your doctor will make sure you have all your sleep test so your mask will be adjusted to your own special needs, i hope you find some comfort in my answer ,, good luck to you and hope your feeling better soon ,, sheila m

I currently have a full face mask on my machine. I first started keeping it on all night; but lately I can’t . I would appreciate any ideas/suggestions to help with this slight "problem".
I’m not sure why I can’t; sometimes I feel "closed in" when I have it on. My doctor suggested contacting my medical supply company & see about getting another mask–maybe it isn’t fitting right. I was wondering if there was anything else I could do, as well.

Your question lacks detail but here are some ideas.
If you have lost/gained weight you may need a retitration study to adjust your setting.
If the mask is over a year old you may need a new mask. If you have changed your hair or gained/lost weight in your face you may need a new mask.
All the Yahoo answers in the world won’t help-you just need to go to your doctor and let him work with the sleep lab to find a solution.

http://www.cpap.com — OptiLife CPAP Mask – Headgear Connect and Disconnect

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I have just been diagnosed with it and will be getting my cpap today, just wondering if the cpap is loud and will keep my wife awake

Oh My your wife is going to thank them for the machine. Trust me on that one. My husband uses it and its great. It takes abit of time for you to get used to it, but now my husband cannot sleep without it. You will sleep better. You may get abit of gas in your stomach for awhile do not be alarmed. It is very quiet. My husband just got the higher priced one and its great. You know how dangerous to your health it is without one. So you will be fine. Your wife will finally get to sleep. Its so quiet sometimes i have to reach in the middle of the night to feel if my husband has it on, I dont like him not wearing it. So look forward to a good thing all around.

The Hybrid is a unique fusion of technologies, designed to be a universal interface for patients, clinicians, and providers. This one product serves as a nasal interface, an oral interface, and a combination of the two. The Hybrid is a dual airway interface for use with positive pressure ventilation devices for the treatment of respiratory insufficiencies and obstructive sleep apnea. The unique design of the Hybrid promotes patient comfort by eliminating pressure points on the forehead and across the bridge of the nose. A built-in chin flap gently supports the chin ensuring optimal performance. The Hybrid complete system contains all of the components required to properly size the patient, eliminating the hassle of opening multiple packages to get the right fit.

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