Sleep Apnea Mask Not Staying On At Night? 5 Reasons Why This Happens
March 24, 2020
If you have Sleep Apnea, chances are you rely on your CPAP machine to help you get a good night’s sleep. If you’ve worked hard to find the right machine, the last thing you want is a mask that doesn’t stay on your face. It nullifies all the amazing benefits you can get from your CPAP machine and makes sleep even more elusive.
To provide all the benefits of CPAP therapy, your mask needs to stay on your face all night. You can set yourself up for success by talking to your CPAP vendor about what type of mask to buy, doing some research, and reading reviews of the most popular Sleep Apnea masks in that category. Once you’ve purchased the mask for you, begin acclimatizing to the feeling of sleeping with a mask every night.
CPAP Mask Moving Around More Than You Do?
Many experts recommend getting used to your Sleep Apnea mask by wearing it around the house, and when you get ready for bed to make sure that you’re comfortable with the feeling of it on your face. This should give you a chance to make sure that the fit is right, and the mask is secure on your face.
If you find that your CPAP mask is moving around on your face at night, or you often wake up with it askew, it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible. CPAP mask problems will only lead to continued ill health, and night after night of poor sleep.
5 Reasons Your Mask Is Falling Off at Night
There are many different reasons why your mask may not be staying on your face at night. Let’s explore a few of the most common, and discuss what you should do to remedy these issues as quickly as possible.
Leaking Mask
Mask leaks are not uncommon and occur because the mask isn’t sealed to your face correctly. There are several steps you can take to correct this. First, tighten the straps of the mask as much as you can without pinching your face.
If that doesn’t work, and your mask is still leaking, you may want to invest in a mask liner to ensure a better fit. You can also find special CPAP pillows with cutouts that accommodate and support your mask without shifting it off your face.
Improperly Fitting Headgear
Headgear are the straps that go around the back of your head and/or neck and keep the Sleep Apnea mask in place on your face. Ideally, it should fit snug to your head, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable. If it’s too loose, your mask will fall off if you move in your sleep.
Wrong Amount of Pressure
Many people find it hard to get used to breathing regularly while their mask is using pressurized air to keep their airway open. Once they’re used to the feeling, they’ll sleep easier. However, if you’re still snoring, or if your mask is falling off, that’s a sign that you’re using the wrong amount of pressure. Your sleep specialist or CPAP vendor can help you get readjusted.
Claustrophobia
Feeling claustrophobic when you’re wearing your mask is normal. Some people are uncomfortable wearing it even when they’re awake, but others don’t even realize the mask makes them claustrophobic until they wake up and find that they’ve removed it in their sleep.
One solution is to practice taking deep, calming breaths while wearing your mask. By doing that, you’ll realize that your mask cannot suffocate you. You may also want to try a smaller mask that leaves your eyes and more of your nose free, to make you feel less weighed down.
Dry Mouth
Some people wake up at night because their CPAP mask has dried out their mouths, leaving them uncomfortable. Sometimes, this is because CPAP users sleep with their mouths open as a result of the mask, which can dry it out. If you notice that you’re doing this, you may want to purchase and use a chin strap to help you keep your mouth closed.
If your humidifier is not on, turn it on, or turn up the humidification and use heated tubing with your therapy.
Sleeping Comfortably With CPAP: Here’s What To Do
The transition to using a CPAP machine can feel frustrating, but with a little effort, you’ll soon be sleeping better than you have in years.
The key to a good CPAP experience is getting the machine and mask that suit your needs and sleeping style most. There are several different styles available today that can accommodate any patient, no matter how much they toss and turn at night.
The three basic mask styles are full-face, nasal pillow, and nasal. These range from masks that cover the whole face to a simpler pronged design that fits below the nose and keeps the rest of the face clear.
At CPAPMachines.ca, we’re dedicated to helping you sleep better with the right CPAP machine and the mask that best suits your face and sleeping style. We offer convenient online ordering for all of our products and ship our CPAP machines all over Canada. We’re always happy to help you out with some of your most common CPAP mask problems.
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