How to Sleep With a Mask

Obstructive sleep apnea affects many Americans, although most people who suffer from this disorder go undiagnosed. The most common treatment for the disorder is continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, therapy, where you place a mask over the nose, or nose and mouth, forcing pressurized air into your nose and stabilizing the soft palate of the mouth. This prevents the soft palate from collapsing and blocking the airway. Patients using CPAP therapy must sleep with the mask on their face, which can be difficult for some.

Instructions

• 1

  Find the most comfortable mask for you. CPAP therapy must be prescribed, but the choice of mask is up to you. If one mask is uncomfortable, ask to try other masks.

• 2

  Replace the mask pads often. The soft gel pads on the face mask are designed to wear out. Be sure to replace them as soon as the mask begins to feel uncomfortable.

• 3

  Acclimatize yourself to the CPAP. Get used to the pressure, the weight on your face and the noise produced by the machine. A good way to do this is to wear the mask a few hours a day while you are awake.

• 4

  Use the "ramp" feature to build your tolerance to forced air. Most CPAP machines have a feature that gradually increases the pressure in the mask. This allows you to get used to the air pressure. If this does not help, ask your doctor about a BiPAP machine which provides more pressure when you inhale and less pressure when you exhale.