One very common treatment for sleep apnea today is the use of sleep apnea masks, which avoid the need for surgery or other intrusive treatment methods. A mask will not however work unless it is fitted correctly to your face and this is a job which needs to be done by a qualified professional.
Masks should always be professionally fitted so that it covers your nose and, if necessary, your mouth correctly. It is also important that head straps and tubing connected to the mask are fully compatible. Once everything is in place your mask will ensure that air is present in your nose and mouth during sleep at sufficient pressure to ensure that your airway remains open.
A comfortable fit is essential, but so is a good seal in order to provide an adequate airflow. Also, the head straps need to be tight enough to hold the mask in place, even with movement, during sleep but not so tight that they are either uncomfortable or actually break the seal on your face. In many cases it will be necessary to wear only a nose mask but, for people who also breathe through their mouth while they are sleeping, a full nose and mouth mask needs to be fitted.
Most masks are constructed from rigid plastic but incorporate either silicone or gel seals to rest against the skin and provide an airtight fit. In addition, many masks are also fitted with additional padding which is designed to relieve the pressure placed on the head by the mask’s head straps. Modern technology also means that is it now possible to get masks which use memory foam seals to provide a seal which is specific to the shape of your own face.
If you are going to use a sleep apnea mask, not only do you need to make sure you do not have any problems with allergies toward the material, but you should also make sure you do not have a skin condition that will make it difficult for the face to hold the seal. For instance, dry skin can make it difficult to hold a seal properly, so you will need to get some moisturizer that is not petroleum based.
As with treatment for any medical condition you should of course check with your doctor to see whether or not wearing a sleep apnea mask is both sensible and indeed recommended. If it is, then make sure that your mask is properly fitted, is comfortable and does its job.
Learn a lot more about sleep apnea including the use of sleep apnea masks as a manner of treatment.