Post #10, CPAP masks from a therapist's point of view

I have worked in the field of respiratory care for the past thirty-one years, and for the last six have been employed by two different DME (durable medical equipment) companies. A good part of my job duties involve assisting customers with the set-up and continued use of their PAP (CPAP, BiPAP, ASV, etc.)equipment, so it might interest the reader to hear a few comments concerning masks.

Although some of our new customers have educated themselves about the different types of interfaces available, most have only a vague idea based on a single night in the sleep lab. Part of our responsibilities during a set-up appointment involve education about the different types of masks and how they might or might not be helpful to a particular user. The choice can be based on the CPAP pressure prescribed by the referring physician, the mask used in the sleep lab, and the user's own preferance. I will cover some very basic information in this post and get into a bit more detail in the next.

Most but not all  masks (sometimes referred to as interfaces), fall into the following three catagories:

Nasal pillows are small, soft, cone-shaped forms that fit underneath and slightly into the nose.
They are usually easy to fit and to seal against air leaks, and the headgear (straps) are simple to adjust. Once the fit is adjusted, they are easy to put on and to remove after use and don't require the use of clips or snaps. Nasal pillows are usually better tolerated at air pressures  up to about 9 or 10 CWP. Most often, pressures above these result in discomfort due to the airflow  being delivered through a relatively small opening; the resulting higher flow ( not higher pressure), can be irritating to the nasal passages.

Nasal pillows can be good choice for the user who likes a less bulky mask, is a side sleeper, or has some degree of claustrophobia.

Nasal masks are most often a triangular-shaped mask that fits over the entire nose. There is a great variety of different makes and models of nasal masks, and they are the most commonly used. They are held in place with straps that most commonly go across the forehead to the top of the mask, and below the ears to the bottom of the mask frame.

Full face masks are larger and are designed to cover the nose and mouth. The headgear is the same or similar to a nasal mask. Full face masks are helpful for the user who has a relatively high pressure on his or her PAP device, or who has trouble keeping the mouth closed during sleep.

More comments tomorrow about choosing a CPAP mask!

"If you have questions about the mask you have, contact the DME company you use or your doctor."



By: Martha J. Powell, RRT, CEO
Strategic Medical Sales, LLC