How to Clean Your CPAP Mask – A Step-by-Step Guide

Last week we talked about the importance of keeping your CPAP mask clean, and how doing so can greatly help with your sleep apnea treatments. Today we discuss the best way to clean your mask. By following proper protocol, you can work toward a germ-free mask and effective treatments every time you head to bed.

Supplies

Before you get started, ensure you have everything on hand for a proper mask cleaning. You'll need either CPAP mask wipes, or quick access to a sink, gentle liquid soap, a clean dry towel, and a washcloth or soft-bristled brush (optional). 

Getting Started

Each morning after waking up, take your mask apart. This should only take a few seconds; you can find instructions on the user guide, if needed. This includes pulling apart tubes, headgear, extra pads, and soft sleeves. Wipe down each of these sections thoroughly with careful attention to remove facial oils, and any other grime that has built up. Though sections might not feel or look dirty after a single night's use, daily cleaning is the best way to ensure you're breathing clean air as you sleep. This routine will also prevent a thick germ build up from taking root.

If you're using soap and water, turn on warm water (not hot) and start wiping down each piece with a gentle soap. You can use a cloth or a soft brush to reach nooks and crannies. (If you are using wipes, once a week you should rinse tubes with soap and water to clean these hard-to-reach places.)

Then it's time to go back and check your work – look for remaining dirt or soap that wasn't thoroughly rinsed. Dry with a clean towel and let parts sit flat so they can dry. Keep out of direct sunlight, and remember it will take longer for the insides of tubes to fully air out.

Cleaning your CPAP mask is a simple process, and it's one that will allow you to get better use out of your nightly treatments. Start cleaning your mask for a better way to gain sleep apnea relief. 

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Why You Should Keep Your CPAP Equipment Clean

If you wear a CPAP mask for your sleep apnea, chances are you've noticed your mask getting dirty. Whether you've had it for years and follow cleaning practices, or have only had your device a short time, you know that the tubes, and the mask itself, can attract gunk. But with so much air moving through and regular contact with skin, it's only a matter of time before these devices get bogged down with dirt. However, that unwelcome addition can also affect just how well your mask will work.

Grime can keep the mask from sealing properly to your face, which means air that leaks. Leaking, in turn, can affect how well you breathe, and it can cause discomfort by pushing air onto your skin. Dirty CPAP masks can also irritate or cause break outs, and it can cause the mask itself to break down from foreign matter. Additionally, when tubes aren't clear, less air can flow through and into your lungs.

However, by regularly cleaning your mask and tubes, you can keep your CPAP device running properly and effectively.

Cleaning Your CPAP Mask is Easy

With the help of cleaning wipes, you can easily keep your mask clean. These wipes are designed to clear out gunk quickly, and to remove any excess build up. Keep them by your bed for a simple wipe down every time you use your mask. Frequent cleanings will keep your device working as it should, and it will prevent bigger clean ups from becoming necessary. 

It's recommended to clean off CPAP masks after every use. Without wipes, warm water and gentle soap can also be used to achieve the same cleaning effect. 

Get more use out of your sleeping mask with regular cleanings – stay tuned for a step-by-step tutorial on keeping your CPAP mask clean. And click here to check out more info on CPAP cleaning wipes. 

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Halloween Costumes to Incorporate your CPAP Mask

In just a few short weeks, Halloween parties will be thrown all across the country. Kids will trick-or-treat, and those of all ages, even the adults, will dress up in their favorite costumes. And whether you like to go all out or keep it simple (so simply you just add ears to your daily attire), there are plenty of costume ideas to explore. 

One way to save on accessories, while still creating a unique costume, is by incorporating a CPAP mask. The very same pieces of medical equipment that are used to help cure sleep apnea. Especially if you’re looking for a costume that’s more elaborate; these masks add an entire new layer of intricacy, but without hiking up the price. 

To incorporate your CPAP mask, consider dressing up as one of the following. 

A Bedtime-Ready Adult

Sure this might not be the most creative idea there ever was, but it just might be the most comfy. Just put on some PJs, add the mask, preferably with an air tank on wheels, and head to your favorite party destination. 

Surgery Patient 

The mask will let you look like you’re seconds from going under at all times. Just make sure your robe is pinned in the back.

Darth Vader

The proven CPAP-mask favorite.

Scooby Do, or Another Cartoon Dog

Certain CPAP masks look oddly snout-like. Paint your face before putting on the mask, or simply dress in Scooby fur to achieve this costume concept. 

Other animal ideas, such as an elephant, ant eater, and more can also be easily recreated with the help of a CPAP mask. 

Bane (From The Dark Night Rises)

Branch out into the villainous side by turning your mask into one that releases pain-killing gasses. (At least in your imagination.) Bonus: there’s no need for a wig! 

For even more CPAP costume ideas, check out this list.

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5 Raving Reviews of the Contour CPAP Pillow from Amazon.com Users

One of the wonderful aspects of the Internet is just how accessible any product can be. Customers can shop on multiple websites to find the exact product they’re searching for, purchase, and even post comments and reviews helpful for other potential buyers looking to make the same investment. Here’s what customers had to say about their Contour CPAP Pillows purchased from Amazon.com:

1.       This Thing Actually Works

“As a user of a CPAP machine, I have spend my evenings trying to adjust and configure pillows so that I can wear the face mask with some semblance of comfort, with little success. I took a chance on this sleep pillow and I have to say it works great! Not only does it nicely accommodate the shape of the mask, the neck support is a real added value”. – Stephen

2.       Ahhhh, Sweet Slumber!

I have been a CPAP user for about 12 years now, and all that time I’ve been trying to find a pillow that didn’t dislodge my mask. At long last, the answer has arrived! This pillow is supportive and comfortable for the head and neck, and the cuts for the mask make it so the mask doesn’t get moved and start leaking! Amazing! No more stiff neck from craning upward to keep the mask off the pillow! No more air being blasted into my eyes or (worse yet) onto my husband! It is wonderful to sleep deeply and without interruption. I can’t say enough good things about it”. – Kathryn Hartsell

3.       Excellent CPAP Pillow

“I’ve been using this pillow for 3 weeks and it is fabulous! I highly recommend it for anyone sleeping with a CPAP mask”. – Deb T.

4.       Love This New Pillow!

“I recently purchased this pillow, as I needed a new pillow and decided to try one to use with my CPAP machine. It works great! Very comfortable and a great size to take with me when I am traveling. Recommend trying out this moderately priced pillow for CPAP users! – P.F. Innis

5.       Changed Everything

“I spend three weeks trying to sleep with a mask and never made it through one night without multiple interruptions, air leaks and mask readjustments. Then this pillow arrived two weeks ago. I’ve slept with the mask on all night ever since. So-total failure without it, and total success with it”. – Andrew Muir

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Sleep Apnea and Sleeping with a CPAP Mask

Sleep Apnea / CPAP Mask Sleep Aid Information

What is Sleep Apnea?

The Greek word “apnea” literally means “without breath.” Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing stops for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how many times in an hour a person’s breathing stops (apnea) or becomes very slow (hypopnea). Apnea episodes may occur from 5 to 50 times an hour.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans. However, due to a lack of public awareness as well as a lack of awareness on the part of healthcare providers, it is thought that the majority of cases remain undiagnosed despite the seriousness of the disorder and its consequences.

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, (CSA) and mixed sleep apnea, (MSA). OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throad collapses and closes during sleep. In CSA, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center. Mixed apnea is a combination of the two.

What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?

With each type of apnea, the brain briefly arouses people, triggering them to start breathing again, causing fragmented, poor quality sleep. As a result, sleep apnea may also cause poor performance in everyday activities, such as work and school, motor vehicle accidensa and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including hypertension, stroke and heart failure, irregular heartbeats and heart attacks. Additionally, memory problems, weight gain, headaches, even impotency can occur as a result of sleep apnea when left untreated.

Who is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children, however risk factors include the following:

• Being overweight
• Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
• Male gender
• Being over the age of forty
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• African Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders have a greater risk of sleep apnea than Caucasions. Additionally, African Americans tend to get sleep apnea at a younger age.
• Women who have been through menopause. After menopause women get sleep apnea at a rate similar to men.
• Conditions that may cause head and face abnormalities such as Marfan’s syndrome and Down Syndrome.
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Being Evaluated for Sleep Apnea

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, check your insurance policy before making an appointment, as you may be required to get a referral to a sleep specialist from your primary care physician. You may also be required to go to a certain testing facility. Some insurance policies exclude coverage for the diagnosis and/or treatment of sleep disorders and some do not cover the durable medical equipment, and diagnosis and treatment can be a significant expense, usually over $1,000.

Doctors who know sleep medicine may be pulmonologists (specializing in lungs), neurologists (the brain), otolaryngologists (the ears, nose and throat), psychiatry (mental health) or primary care physicians. Some doctors may be certified through the American Board of Sleep medicine (ABSM)., or hold degrees that meet the requirements of this board.

At any rate, you will likely be referred to a sleep center. If your doctor does not refer you to a specific sleep center, you can visit http://www.aasmnet.org/ for the most up to date list of accredited member sleep centers and laboratories.

At the sleep center, you can expect to undergo a sleep study, which uses several devices to record activity during sleep. These generally include an electroencelphalogram (EEG) to measure brain waves and an electroculogram (EOG) to measure eye and chin movement, both to monitor the different stages of sleep. An electrocardiogram (EKG) will measure heart rate and rhythm; chest bands to measure breathing movements and additional monitors to sense oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood as well as monitors to record leg movement. None of the devices is painful and there are no needles involved.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea:

Generally, your doctor will prescribe lifestyle changes and CPAP(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, but surgery is an option if these treatments fail to succeed. The American Sleep Apnea Association identifies CPAP therapy as the most common treatment for the condition. CPAP therapy works by preventing the airway from closing during sleep. It is administered at bedtime through a nasal or facial mask held in place by Velcro straps around the patient’s head. The mask is connected by a tube to a small air compressor. The CPAP machine sends air under pressure through the tube and into the mask, where it imparts positive pressure to the upper airways, preventing the tissues in the back of the throat from collapsing during sleep.

CPAP therapy can be an extremely effective form of treatment, however the biggest problem is non-compliance. It has been estimated that over 65% of patients use the machine for a maximum of just 4 hours per night when it should be used for the duration of the patient’s sleep. In many cases, patients report using the CPAP for just a few nights out of the week.

Discomfort is a major factor contributing to non-compliance. During side sleeping or stomach sleeping, the mask presses and rubs against the patient’s face, which is a major comfort problem and can also distort the mask, causing leaks and furthering the non-compliance problem.

The people at Contour Products have developed a solution to the issue of CPAP comfort and compliance, called the CPAP Multi-Mask Sleep Aid. It improves:

· Mask comfort

· Freedom of movement during sleep

· Multi-position sleeping for side, back and stomach sleepers

· Neck support and spinal alignment

It reduces:

• Mask leaks
• Mask pressure on face
• Airway resistance du to better neck support
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The Contour CPAP Pillow works with all major brands and styles of masks

For more information on the new sleep aid pillow, 

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