Those with sleep apnea know how hard a good night’s sleep can be to come by. But luckily, you’re more likely to experience quality rest with the help of your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Without it, your airways become blocked while you’re sleeping and cause many breathing disruptions throughout the night. However, purchasing a CPAP machine isn’t a one-and-done task. Like your toothbrush, parts of your CPAP machine will need to be replaced regularly — including your CPAP mask.
To ensure you’re maintaining your breathing equipment properly, ApneaMed has put together a quick guide outlining how often you should replace your CPAP mask for optimal performance.
What Is CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common form of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The individual wears a mask that is hooked up to the CPAP machine, so pressurized air is delivered at a steady and consistent rate throughout the night. This continuous air pressure helps lessen the chance of the soft tissues within the throat from collapsing and blocking the airway while sleeping.
When to Replace a CPAP Mask
When using a CPAP machine, the individual uses a mask over their nose and mouth to effectively deliver pressurized air to their airways. Because the goal of the mask is to help deliver air to your airway, it must remain clean and germ-free. If there is too much bacteria buildup in the mask, the individual may get sick more often.
Along with keeping you healthy, an old CPAP mask may also cause skin problems. Because the mask rests directly on your skin while covering your mouth and nose, the bacteria may cause skin flare-ups.
To ensure your mask remains clean and bacteria-free, it is recommended that you replace your CPAP mask at least every three months.
Signs It Is Time to Change Your CPAP Mask
Although it is recommended that you change your CPAP mask at least every three months, there may be other instances where you should change the mask sooner. Here are a few signs showing that it is time to change your CPAP mask:
- The seal is becoming discolored
- Air is leaking from your CPAP mask
- The mask is making unusual noises
- It is feeling uncomfortable against your skin
- The frame of the mask is bent
If you notice any of these warning signs, we recommend switching out your CPAP mask sooner rather than later to ensure your breathing equipment is working in peak condition.
Struggling to Get a Good Night’s Sleep? ApneaMed Can Help
Along with your CPAP mask, you will also need to replace the tubing, cushions, filters, headgear, and other components of the system. While some of these replacements will directly improve the comfort of the machine, they will also help minimize the buildup of germs and bacteria that can have negative effects on your health.
Whether you’re looking for a CPAP machine for the first time or need other products to help ease your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, ApneaMed can help. Our team can guide you through the options available to you, ensuring you get the best night’s sleep possible. We will set you up with the right breathing machine for you and help you map out when you will be expected to replace your CPAP mask and other parts of the machine.
If you’re in the market for a continuous positive airway pressure machine for your obstructive sleep apnea, contact ApneaMed. Our team offers home sleep tests and a variety of in-home breathing equipment to treat your sleep apnea safely.