Disguising Medical Problems Behind Sleep Apnea Masks  

Sleep apnea is a common condition for which there is several treatments to choose from.  There are mechanical devices to keep their airway open, positional devices designed to keep their throat open as well as sleep apnea masks to help maintain a flow of air into their lungs. Although the continuous positive airway pressure masks are considered uncomfortable by many users, the sleep apnea masks are a less obtrusive method of helping sleep apnea sufferers than other more extreme options such as surgery. 

The person who suffers from sleep apnea will wake up possibly hundreds of times during the night, without knowing they were awake, in order to restore their normal breathing! They end up sleep the next day and often with a dry mouth and headache from the lack of oxygen in their blood. With sleep apnea masks, continuous pressure forces air into the lungs, allowing for breathing to continue to be normal throughout the night. 

When sleep apnea masks, also called CPAP masks were first developed they were held onto a person's face by straps that could come loose during the night and ended up contributing to the issue at hand, no helping it.  Luckily, the newer designs allow for people to wear the masks in place, with relative comfort, so that the person can get a great nigh sleep without apnea or discomfort from the old style masks. 

Less Restrictive Masks More Likely To Be Used 

The original sleep apnea masks were so uncomfortable that people would not wear them. Regardless of the benefits available with the mask, if a person refused to use it ever night, the treatment was not going to be successful. In addition to the lack of comfort, many complained of waking up with an excessively dry mouth and throat from the air being forced through their mouth all night, so this was something that clearly needed to be worked on by the medical community. 

The addition of moisturized air to prevent the mouth from drying out has also make these masks a lot more enjoyable. There are sleep apnea masks available that cover only the mouth and others that also cover the nose, forcing pressurized air into the mouth and well as through the sinus cavity. When wearing sleep apnea masks if the person closes their mouth, they may not be able to breathe adequately through their nose.  The result is that the full face masked is the best bet for all sleep apnea patients.  Regardless, the masks are a great option when you consider the risks of not treating the apnea at all.