CPAP Masks
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is very commonly diagnosed and effects 10's of millions of North Americans. There are three main types of sleep apnea being - obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when the throat muscles relax and breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Before purchasing a CPAP mask, people with sleep apnea often try changing sleep positions, anti-snore aids, nutritional improvements, weight loss or surgery. Many sleep disorder sufferers, have found that other treatments either do not work and or they turn to the use a sleep apnea machine every night while they work on lifestyle changes. Given CPAP machines can be intrusive, many sleep apnea sufferers can experience a hard time adjusting to using the CPAP mask and machine every night. The problem with not adjusting to a CPAP machine is that sleep apnea can cause exhaustion and can be potentially more dangerous health conditions.
The symptoms that often lead to the diagnosis of sleep apnea are loud snoring, gasping for air, waking with a dry mouth, difficulty staying asleep, stopping and starting breathing, waking with a headache and irritability and lack of focus while awake. If you experience one or more of these symptoms and suspect sleep apnea, it is important to see a health care professional and get properly diagnosed. A CPAP mask may help you.
CPAP Mask Benefits
- Better night sleep
- Can lower blood pressure
- More alert during the day
- May reduce blood glucose levels
- Reduces snoring for yourself and your partner
- Reduces the risk adverse health effects of sleep apnea
CPAP Mask Obstacles
- can cause claustrophobic feeling
- sometimes causes dry mouth
- can cause nose bleeds
- can increase the time it takes to fall sleep
The side effect of causing of dry mouth and nose bleeds can be mitigated by a humidifier. The claustrophobic feeling and increased time it takes to fall asleep are both side effects that are experienced in the beginning of CPAP use. Most users are able to overcome these obstacles as they get used to the appliance. Using CPAP therapy over an extended period of time can protect you from the health risks associated with sleep apnea.
It's important to decide what type of CPAP mask best suits your needs. Buying a CPAP mask and machine online can definitely reduce the cost of acquisition.