Individuals who have sleep apnea have frequent breathing lapses during sleep. Having such breathing lapses can result in insomnia and tiredness. person can end up suffering from insomnia and fatigue. A CPAP machine assists in maintaining the upper airway open, by pushing pressured air via a CPAP mask which encircles the part of the face. However, one may find it difficult to sleep well using a CPAP mask, particularly when one wants to sleep on his back.
One of the most typical sleep positions in adults is side sleeping, which in fact could be of benefit to individuals with sleep apnea in enhancing the quality of sleep. Nonetheless, the side sleeping may bring certain special challenges to CPAP therapy.
We will address the problems that side sleepers encounter, the selection of right types of CPAP masks, and tips for side sleepers to ensure a successful treatment with CPAP therapy.
Table of Contents
What Are The Cpap Challenges Of The Side Sleepers?
There are a number of challenges that are experienced by side sleepers in respect to comfort in wearing CPAP masks.
- Pick Mask Type:
Side sleepers must take great care in choosing the best CPAP mask to fit their sleeping style. In most cases, sleepers that sleep on their side prefer compact and flexible sleeping mask that would enable them to move and have minimal contact with their face. The full-face style of the mask is less comfortable to side sleepers, especially when it is bulky.
- Mask Seal:
CPAP therapy depends on an air tight fit between the mask and the face to provide pressurized air and to maintain the airway open. One of the problems that are common among CPAP users is the presence of air leaks that are normally caused by an ill-fitting mask. Sleeping on the side makes it difficult to avoid leakages.
- Mask Movement During Sleep:
This is common in many individuals who mostly sleep on the sides; they will alternate position during the night. This has the ability of moving the mask when the person sleeps and might create leakages of air.
- Mask Pressing on the Cheek:
In side sleeping, the cheek of one side of the face is most of the time on the pillow or sleep surface. This posture forces the CPAP against the cheek and may produce painful points.
The problem of the CPAP mask affects the comfort level greatly and may disrupt the effectiveness of the treatment. In case CPAP treatment is not comfortable and not effective, an individual has a low chance of keeping up with the treatment. This is why it is necessary that the side sleepers find a comfortable mask that is well fitting and can suit their sleeping position.
How to Sleep with CPAP and Be Successful?
The comfort and effectiveness of your CPAP treatment is strongly dependent on your sleeping position. Posture alignment according to the device can reduce pain and maximize therapy.
- Improving Airflow: Sleeping on Your Side
Lying on your side is good to ensure that your airways are open and minimize the possibility of air escaping through your mask. It also is a natural posture to curb sleep apnea symptoms. To maintain the position of the spine, use a body pillow.
- The Supine Position (Back-Sleeping) to be avoided:
Sleeping on your back may result in the weakening of the soft tissues in the throat which blocks the passage of air thus nullifying the effects of CPAP treatment. In case you are known to sleep on your back, use pillows that will ensure that you do not roll in the night.
