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CPAP masks are a requirement for sleep apnea patients. Sleep apnea causes your breathing rate to fluctuate continuously while sleeping. This can cause inefficiency in breathing and overall fatigue even after eight hours of proper sleep.
Lack of proper treatment of sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea, may lead to a severe respiratory problem. Thus, it becomes essential to find the best possible sleep apnea treatment to continue with your life efficiently.
Currently, there is no cure for sleep apnea, yet CPAP masks are the closest treatment option for all kinds of sleep apnea patients.
If you’re a CPAP user, you might have read that all CPAP masks do not work efficiently for some people, especially for side-sleepers and for those with facial hair or beards. However, this is just a myth, which we’d like to debunk, as many CPAP masks are known to work correctly for side-sleepers as well as for people with facial hair.
This article will deal with the problems people with facial hair face, different kinds of CPAP masks for bearded patients, and we will help determine the best CPAP masks for them.
CPAP Masks: What Problems Do Bearded People Face?
Sleep apnea patients who have a beard may face specific difficulties when it comes to wearing a CPAP mask. Some of them say that their beard acts as an obstruction and, thus, causes inefficiency in the overall working of the CPAP machine.
Bearded people may also face some other difficulties such as:
Loose-fitting mask
Certain CPAP masks do not fit around your mouth and nose effectively if you have a beard. Such loose-fitting masks can cause inconveniences, along with discomfort, while you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep.
Air leakage
Loose-fitting masks can also lead to another issue known as air leakage. The primary function of CPAP masks is to provide your respiratory organs with sufficient air. Air leaks from your mask can prevent the CPAP device from working correctly.
Inefficiency in breathing
Loose-fitting masks and continuous air leakage can end up causing more harm and lead to inefficiency in breathing compared to not wearing a mask.
Due to these reasons, it is necessary to find the best CPAP mask that can function efficiently, even if you have a beard or facial hair. Due to the reasons mentioned above, some bearded CPAP users like to wear a mask liner so their facial hair does not get in the way of a good seal.
Different CPAP Masks Options
Before we delve into the main section, choosing the best CPAP masks available on the market, it is essential to know the various types of CPAP masks available for you. The types of masks mentioned here can also be used for BiPAP machines. These masks can be categorized into three types:
Nasal Mask
The nasal mask covers the entire nose area. This type of mask can withstand high airflow pressure, therefore, it would be great for bearded CPAP users who need high pressure. This mask does not work so well with active sleepers.
Shortcomings: You can face an issue here if you have a mustache as it may become an obstruction.
Full-face Mask
This mask does not entirely cover your face. Instead, it covers most parts of your mouth and nose. This mask is suitable for those patients who are mouth breathers.
Shortcomings: As this mask covers your entire mouth, you might have to trim your beard or mustache to accommodate the mask adequately from the area where it seals your face. Your beard may interfere with its overall fitting.
Nasal Pillow Mask
Nasal pillow masks are a great option if the above two masks are uncomfortable for you. These pillows have tubes that fit directly into your nose. Now, this might sound uncomfortable, but pillow masks are considered one of the best and most convenient options for bearded people.
Shortcomings: You may have some difficulty adjusting to this type of mask.
Best CPAP Masks For Beards
There are many CPAP masks available in the market right now. From ResMed to Fisher and Paykal to Philips Respironics, there are several excellent brands selling some of the best CPAP masks for beards.
In this article, we will be highlighting the three best CPAP masks for people with facial hair.
ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Brand: ResMed
Type: CPAP Nasal Pillow Mask
ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask is one of the best masks for people with beards. As mentioned earlier, your mustache or beard will not obstruct such nasal pillow masks.
This mask is also known to be extremely quiet. Its advanced technology helps the mask in generating almost no noise and thus, creating absolutely no disturbance while you’re sleeping.
Another benefit of buying this pillow mask is that it is light-weight compared to other CPAP machines. This feature removes all the excess weight that you had to endure and, thus, allows you to sleep comfortably. It also has an open field of vision.
Lastly, the headgear is flexible yet stable enough to make sure that the mask does not move too much. It also features a minimal contact design making sure your beard or mustache does not interfere with the mask ensuring a comfortable fit.
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full Face CPAP Mask With Headgear
Brand: Philips Respironics
Type: CPAP Full-face mask
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full Face CPAP Mask is an alternative for those who cannot adjust to CPAP pillow masks. This mask is equally efficient and excellent in its structure.
Its minimalist design has a cushion that rests on your upper lip, reducing the bulkiness of your mask and makes you feel more relaxed. The silicone frame is extremely flexible and gives a comfortable feeling when you’re wearing the mask. As it is made up of flexible material, it can easily cover your mustache or beard without any discomfort or inefficiency of the CPAP therapy.
You can also read or watch anything without the mask obstructing your vision as well as being able to curl up into your favorite sleeping position. Additionally, this mask comes with three cushion options from which you can choose the most suitable one as per your comfort level.
ResMed Mirage Activa LT Mask with Headgear
Brand: ResMed
Type: CPAP Nasal Mask
If you’re not comfortable with CPAP pillow masks or full-face masks, Mirage Activa LT Mask is the most suitable option for you.
This nasal mask is flexible and allows you to move at night without any discomfort or inconvenience. It has a tight and reliable seal to prevent the mask from moving, and also makes you feel comfortable. It also adjusts to your face shape and fits like a glove!
Additionally, it does not make a lot of noise at night and gives you an undisturbed sleep, along with adequate breathing.
Thus, this mask is also great if you’re looking for the best CPAP mask for beards.
Conclusion
In the end, it is your call to choose the one CPAP mask for beards that can work efficiently and has all the functions you want in your mask. However, keep in mind the type of CPAP mask, its features and specifications, and lastly, the price range to find the best CPAP mask for your beard and you! Visit Sleeplay for all your CPAP needs to make sure you get restful sleep.
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By: The Sleeplay Team
Title: Best CPAP Masks For Patients With Beards
Sourced From: sleeplay.com/blogs/news/best-cpap-masks-for-patients-with-beards
Published Date: Tue, 02 May 2023 16:21:53 +0000
