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Tip of the Month: Proper Mask Fitting
 So many times I hear the following complaints about CPAP masks: The
mask is making the bridge of my nose sore.
I am getting pressure points on my face from the mask. I can't get the mask to seal without pulling
the headgear really tight-then the mask hurts my face. My mask is breaking my skin open and making
sores.
If you are struggling with any of these problems, reconsider the fit of
your mask. I always tell my patients
that if you have to pull your headgear really tight to get the mask to seal,
you probably don't have the right mask. Your mask cushion should never be
scrunched up against your face. There should always be room for air to inflate
the seal.
Always fit your mask lying down with the CPAP running. Your face changes shape a bit when you lie
back, often making the headgear fit tighter.
While lying down on your back loosen the headgear as much as possible. Then slowly pull both sides of the bottom
straps at the same time until you obtain a seal and secure the Velcro. No tighter!
Use the top straps to provide support for holding the mask in
place. No tighter! If your mask has an adjustable forehead
support, make adjustments that are comfortable for you but don't cause
leaks. Move your head from side to side
and then lie on one side. If leaks
occur, try grasping the whole mask from the front, lifting it up and placing it
back down on your face. This allows the
cushion to re-inflate, often correcting the problem. If you still have leaks, adjust the headgear
slightly until you get a seal. If this
still doesn't work, consider scheduling a mask fitting with your provider.
Because it can be very difficult to find the right mask without
spending a lot of money I recommend that you schedule a mask fitting with a
local provider before you purchase one online.
Most providers will be happy to schedule a fitting, and you are not
obligated to purchase from them.
If you have a helpful tip to share with other CPAP users, please send
your suggestions to mhertel@ezcpap.com!
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Articles of Interest
"Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Prevalent in Nonobese Patients"
According to an article posted on ScienceDaily.com in June 2009, in a
research abstract "Fifty-four percent (2,906) of 5,426 non-obese patients were
OSA positive...." This confirms what many clinicians/physicians already
know: Anyone can potentially suffer from
obstructive sleep apnea, even those who are not obese and do not have larger neck
sizes.
For the complete article, Click Here.
"Lack of Good Sleep Might be Deadly"
Frustrated with therapy and thinking
of throwing out your CPAP? Think
again! An article posted on
Healthday.com explains that chronic poor sleep and sleep deprivation can
actually increase your odds of dying prematurely. For more details, Click Here.
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Featured Product of the Month
Psyche CPAP Pillow
 Do you have trouble sleeping on your side with your CPAP mask on? Does the mask leak or move around and leave
pressure marks on your face? Consider
purchasing a pillow designed for the CPAP user....
The Psyche CPAP Pillow is by far the best CPAP pillow we have tried at
EZ CPAP! A CPAP user who experienced the
difficulty of keeping his mask sealed when sleeping on his side designed this
pillow. It features the high quality
memory foam used by Tempur-Pedic®. The
butterfly shape of the pillow provides a space for the CPAP mask to rest,
alleviating mask leaks and pressure points that occur when coming into contact
with a conventional pillow. In fact, the
shape of the pillow supports the head and neck in such a way as to slightly
lift the chin, preventing the mask from coming into contact with the pillow at
all! The elastic criss-cross straps at
the top hold the tubing in place, keeping it out of the way of the
sleeper. And the Cool-Max® lining
provides cool, comfortable support for the head and neck.
For more pictures of the Psyche CPAP pillow or for more information,
please Click Here
or call us at 877-392-7270.
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