Up until this point, you have spent your nights sleeping without anything on your face. And now, you’re just diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a device that you have to wear nightly. Finding the right equipment, most importantly a mask that is fit properly and is comfortable to wear can help make the transition to using a sleep device a lot easier. Here are some tips and advice when picking a mask:
- Your mask should always be fitted while in a sleeping position with the prescribed pressure blowing through the tubing and mask.
- A nasal mask just covering your nose is the most common and usually all you need, but if you breathe through your mouth while you sleep, a full mask that covers your nose and mouth would be a better option.
- Your mask should be the smallest size possible without pinching your nostrils in order to prevent leaks.
- Counterintuitively, having a very tight mask may actually cause air leaks by causing creases in your mask’s cushioning. Your mask should be snug and secure, but not to the point the cushioning is smashed against your face. Once you find the right fit, mark your straps with a permanent marker to make sure you have the same fit every night.
