When you started your CPAP therapy, your life immediately changed for the better. For the first time, you enjoyed excellent-quality sleep; your snoring and sleep apnea stopped; and you experienced a renewed vigor and alertness that you never believed to be possible.
But three to six months later, something has changed. You aren't sleeping quite as well anymore. You're waking up tired again.
What is happening? Why did the amazing benefits of your CPAP therapy vanish?
It may not be you. It may be your CPAP mask.
Take a good look at your mask. Has the color of your nasal cushion changed from clear white to a dull yellow? Have you seen any gaps, holes, or cracks, or noticed the fit of your mask is no longer as snug as it once was? Or have you been noticing a bit of an aroma in your equipment?
If any of the following is true — and chances are, all of these have happened! — it is well past the time for you to replace your CPAP mask.
WHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY CPAP MASK?
Why you should replace your mask is about much more than just issues of sight and smell (although those are more than reason enough!). Replacing your mask regularly will ensure that you enjoy the full benefits of CPAP therapy.
CPAPs are prescribed to treat sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea, which prevent people from achieving restful, restorative sleep. The equipment achieves this by pumping pressurized air through your mask and into your respiratory system. As a result, your airways are kept open throughout your sleep cycle, allowing you the luxury and comfort of free and easy breathing.
Even a tiny leak in the CPAP equipment can prevent your CPAP from working correctly. The most likely location for a leak to occur is the CPAP mask, where a tight seal must be achieved on a surface that is soft, uneven, and in constant motion.
However, there are benefits to keeping your mask clean. Regular daily cleaning will make your mask more comfortable to wear by removing the facial oils and sweat that build up on it nightly. Cleaning can also remove the smells that can collect inside your mask, caused by exhalation and any materials (for exam, nasal mucus) that might be blown into the cushions after a good night’s sleep.Read More: https://www.sleepresolutions.com/blog/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-new-cpap-mask?success=true
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