Cpap Mask

Why is CPAP Mask Fitting Important

Comfort of the patient wearing the CPAP mask is a non-negotiable when it comes to the success of the CPAP therapy. Thus, CPAP mask fitting should be properly done on the patient. Discomfort of any kind will render the therapy program useless as t might adverse reaction form the patient like stoppage of the use and anxiety. Thus, it is important to customize the CPAP mask. While patients can choose the CPAP machine, the mask should be chosen according to physical and behavioural fit.

 

What is CPAP Mask?

 

The CPAP mask is the actual contraption that is attached over the face when asleep. It is the device that delivers the airflow coming from the machine to the patient’s airways like the throat or nasal airways. The CPAP mask is also instrumental in trapping the air and preventing leakages. While CPAP machines work with almost any patient, CPAP mask fitting should be done accordingly.

 

What Happens During custom CPAP Mask Fitting?

 

The most important activity in CPAP mask fitting is the sizing or taking the measurements of the patient. Several detailed measurements are taken to ensure a good fit. Among the most basic dimensions taken is the length measurement or the distance from the patient’s eyeline to the base of the nose, the diagonal length is the distance from the eyeline to the tip of the nose, the width of the nose should be taken from the widest portion of the nose, depth of the nose and the full length of the face which covers the distance from the eyeline down to the mid-section of the chin.

 

CPAP masks have detachable parts that can be interchanged. This helps a lot in finding the best fit and match for the patient. Restless sleepers that need a lot of mask stabilizers might go for the cap type headgear. This type is also very comfortable to wear. But if the patient sweats a lot, a more open headgear is advised.

 

Also taken into consideration of CPAP mask fitting is the gender of the patient and the nare size and form. Taking all the inputs, a sample mask with the specified measurements will be tried on the patient for about half an hour. After the test duration, checks for leaks or marks will be conducted. Adjustments or re-sizing of the mask will be conducted if necessary. It is also during CPAP mask fitting that patients are assessed of claustrophobia. Patients who are restless during the testing time are then measured with the nasal pillows instead. Patients who sleep with mouth open are recommended to use chin straps. The strap will keep mouths close and avoid oral leaks.

 

In some cases wherein no good match for a particular patient could be produced, customization of mask, straps and collars are done. Constructing a customized collar for CPAP mask fitting will involve the use of silicone to capture the exact contours or the patients face, nose and the mouth. The impressed silicone is then glued to the inside of the mask.