Finding A Comfortable Cpap Mask: Problems With Mask Fit Frequently Lead To Stopping Cpap Therapy

Sept. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- According to Mayo Clinic the wrong size or style of mask is a common problem with CPAP.  Masks may be full face that cover the mouth and nose with straps over various areas of the face.  These make many patients feel claustrophobic.  Other masks feature nasal pillows that under and into your nose but still need straps to hold them in place.  Masks come in different sizes that vary by manufacturer and mask style.  Most Cpap masks are adjustable. An excellent discussion of how to find the right mask can be found on the website of the American Sleep Apnea Association at http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/mask.htm another excellent resource is the Talk About Sleep  website which has superb message boards on Sleep Apnea Treatmentshttp://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-boards/   as well as an excellent online store for CPAP machines, masks and supplies.

The choice of a mask is an important to CPAP compliance.  60% of patients abandon CPAP and many forgo treatment completely.  It is vital to treat sleep apnea.  Read more about the dangers of sleep apnea at http://www.ihatecpap.com/sleep_apnea_dangers.html

THE I HATE CPAP!  WEBSITE ALSO OFFERS COMFORTABLE ALTERNATIVES TO CPAP WITH NO MASK, NO HOSE AND NO CPAP MACHINE!  

LEARN MORE ABOUT UTILIZING A COMFORTABLE ORAL APPLIANCE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CPAP AT
http://www.ihatecpap.com/oral_appliance.html    

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT SLEEP APNEA BE TREATED.  CPAP is the most effective treatment available but poor compliance has always been a problem.

Patients who are morbidly obese should  usually be treated with CPAP as a first choice because they frequently fail other therapies such as oral appliances.  Even the morbidly obese are better off with partial treatment with an oral appliance than with no treatment.

Some of the mask choices ACCORDING TO CPAP.COM are Nasal mask,Full Face mask,Nasal Pillow, Nasal Prong, Hybrid,Oral or total face Total Face mask according to CPAP.com that lists hundreds of masks with user ratings from the following brands AEIOMed, Circadiance, cpap.com, CPAPPRO,
DeVilbiss, Fisher & Paykel, Hans Rudolph, InnoMed, Invacare, Philips Respironics
PMI Probasics, Puritan Bennett, Resmed, SleepNet, Tiara, Ventlab.  

THEY HAVE MASKS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SUCH AS SPECIFIC NEEDS
Active Sleeper
Multiple Sizes Included
Mouth Breather
Replaceable Cushion
Claustrophobic
Small Face
Wide Face
Facial Hair
TV Friendly
Headgear Included
Headgear Quick-Clips
Gel Cushion

THE REASON FOR SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF MASKS IS DUE TO THE WIDE VARIETY OF PROBLEMS PATIENTS HAVE WITH THEIR MASKS.  

There is an enormous variety in machines, masks, hoses humidifiers and other incidentals to increase the comfort of CPAP treatment.

Regardless of all these options a recent study showed 60% of patients totally abandon Cpap and that patients that use their cpap average only 4-5 hours a day not the recommended 7-8 hours of use.

About 1 in four patients have no trouble adapting to CPAP and love it from the start of treatment.  A smaller group of patients attempt to comply with CPAP often not wearing the CPAP long enought to be therapeutic.  60% quit CPAP and need alternative treatment.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Oral Appliances and Dental Sleep Medicine are a first line treatment alternative to CPAP.  Surgery is not considered a first line treatment of sleep apnea but can be very successful.  Patients should usually avoid surgery to the soft palate that has been shown ineffective in eliminating sleep apnea, very painful and carrying a high risk of morbidity.

Oral Appliances are considered a first line treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea and an alternative treatment for severe apnea when CPAP is not desired or tolerated.  

Medicare has recognized that the majority of patients do not use CPAP and will now only cover CPAP if it is used 70% of the time.  

The National Sleep Foundation is also aware of poor CPAP compliance but has declared tha t"Oral Appliances are a therapy whose time has come!"

Problems from masks include air leaks that can cause dry eyes, acne from the mask, facial ulcers and sore from the masks, facial indentations or distortions.  The list is endless which is why 60% of patients abandon treatment.

THE USE OF DENTAL APPLIANCES TO INCREASE COMFORT OF CPAP MASKS IS QUICKLY DEVELOPING PRIMARILY DUE TO THE WORK OF DR KEITH THORTON THE INVENTOR OF THE TAP ORAL APPLIANCE.

Dr Thorton has pioneered methods to connect CPAP masks (all types)  to oral appliances to increase comfort for the patient.  Combination therapy of oral appliances and CPAP can dramatically reduce necessary pressure in CPAP treatment and reduce problems like mask leaks and facial irritations.

Dr Ira L Shapira treats patients in Chicagoland with comfortable oral appliances.  Contact Dr Shapira Toll Free at 1-8-NO-PAP-MASK or thru his websites:

http://www.delanydentalcare.com/sleep_apnea.html

http://www.chicagoland.ihatecpap.com/

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I HATE CPAP! LLC provides information on Sleep Apnea, Dental Sleep Medicine and alternative to CPAP for patients who are CPAP intolerant. The website http://www.ihatecpap.com has valuable information on treating sleep apnea utilizing oral appliances.