Sleep Apnea Masks

The mask is the single most important feature. Get it right, or you may be tempted to back out of the treatment plan later.

The mask needs to fit you well. Sleep apnea sufferers are told to sleep on their sides. But sideways pressure from your pillow may cause your mask to slip and let air leak out. Users report that this is a noisy event, particularly annoying to your bed partner. It is important that you spend some time trying on masks and pushing on them from the side, to imitate the sideways force that would come from your pillow as you move your head around in sleep.

More mask tips: go for smaller, not larger, because larger masks are more likely to leak. Like to read yourself to sleep? Be sure to choose a mask that’s low over the bridge of the nose. Like to breathe through your mouth? There’s a mask that delivers the air to your mouth, not your nose. Here’s a tip: buy two masks of different types and alternate them, so your skin doesn’t get chafed too much.

Sleep apnea masks come in wide variety of models. Here are some basic categories:

* Covering nose and mouth
* Covering only the nose (use with chin strap to keep the mouth shut)

All masks have straps holding them in place. Some have slider mechanisms to keep the mask in place even when you move around during sleep. There is even one that finds a firm anchoring spot using your teeth.