CPAP Masks for Side Sleepers

Choosing the best CPAP masks for side sleepers needs a little bit of research. Many side sleepers have problems with full face cpap masks, but there are alternatives and options available for your sleep apnea treatment.

Defining The Best CPAP Masks For Side Sleepers

Most people are well aware of the concept of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy for sleep apnea sufferers, and people with certain other sleep or breathing disorders. PAP (positive airway pressure) is often used for people with acute respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, hypoxia and even certain types of pneumonia. CPAP is a variation of this treatment and was developed by an Australian professor.

CPAP has become a popular treatment for sleep apnea patients, with the full face cpap mask being the standard 'prescription', which works very effectively in most cases. However, some sleep apnea sufferers are side sleepers, and the best cpap masks for side sleepers are not always the same masks that a back sleeper will get on with.

About CPAP Masks

The whole concept of cpap is to assist the patient's breathing by providing an uninterrupted airflow, which also prevents the soft tissues of the soft palate and throat from blocking the airway. A CPAP setup will include the electronically operated compressor unit, a cpap hose, and a cpap mask to administer the air directly to the patient. There are a range of mask configurations on the market, and these include a full face mask, nasal mask, a nasal pillow, and even total face cpap masks. There are also hybrid models.

A lot of people feel uncomfortable and restricted by the full face mask, which is why nasal pillows and other cpap nasal masks are becoming far more popular for cpap users. They are far more comfortable to wear, and reduce the chances of discomfort and redness that a full face unit can sometimes cause. Although cpap has been a great help to so many people, there are, as with most treatments, a few areas of concern for some people.

Problems With CPAP Masks

CPAP mask can cause discomfort for people whilst they sleep. Side sleepers in particular find that the mask becomes squashed against their faces. CPAP itself, can also cause headaches, minor skin irritation, dry mouth and sore throat issues. Side sleepers have the worst of all worlds, and it is estimated that half the population sleep on their sides. But is there a cpap mask for side sleepers that can provide adequate therapy as well as comfort?

CPAP Masks For Side Sleepers

It certainly is possible to find a cpap mask that can suit a side sleeper. A proper seal is one of the most important things to consider when using cpap, and side sleeping with the wrong type of mask can easily result in that seal being broken as you move around. Nasal pillows are one of the cpap masks for side sleepers that seem to offer excellent sealing qualities. Products like the Respironics ComfortLite 2 shown to the right. Respironics CPAP masks are one of the top brands and will offer you excellent comfort and efectiveness.

These styles of nasal pillows lessen the amount of mask in contact with your face, and are therefore, more comfortable, less restricting, and also, most importantly, reduce the chances of the mask being dislodged as you lay on your side. One of the best masks for side sleepers is the Sleepweaver Revolutionary Advance Ultra-Comfort Soft Nasal CPAP Cloth Mask. It's made of cloth and has a minimal chance of being dislodged when pressed against your pillow.

Where To Buy CPAP Masks

Amazon is certainly the best place to buy, they stock all the models mentioned here, and offer a great range, and free shipping on many lines. Check out Amazon's CPAP mask range here.

We hope this short article has given you some useful tips to help improve your cpap therapy. If you sleep on your side, it's well worth trying out one of the cpap masks for side sleepers.