Any Change in Benefits of CPAP

[mkarns]

Hello all you experts:

I have a question that has been nagging at me for some time.

While using the CPAP machine if you are wearing a full face mask, is it less beneficial breathing with your mouth open than when the mouth is shut?

Thanks for your input,

M. Karns

[BlackSpinner]

Mouth breathing will cause dental problems.

[Wulfman...]

Hello all you experts:

I have a question that has been nagging at me for some time.

While using the CPAP machine if you are wearing a full face mask, is it less beneficial breathing with your mouth open than when the mouth is shut?

Thanks for your input,

M. Karns

No. That's the biggest benefit from using full face masks.......if you have to breathe through your mouth, your therapy is still effective. The downside of mouth-breathing is that the user will probably experience "dry mouth".
In my case, I was a mouth-breather all my life until I began this therapy. But, I've used cool "passover" humidity and learned to do some nasal cleansing and became a nasal breather.

Good luck and Happy Holidays.


Den

.

[D.H.]

A nasal mask is preferable if it is possible to use one.

However, some patients can't use one due to mouth breathing. In that case, a nose/mouth mask (generally call a "full face" mask) is needed.

I would add that just because you started with a nose/mouth mask doesn't mean you always need one and vice-versa. Also, if you switch mask types, your ideal pressure setting might also need reassessment.


Note that I like to avoid the term "full face mask" since that term would imply that the eyes are covered too.

[Sheriff Buford]

A nasal mask is preferable if it is possible to use one.

However, some patients can't use one due to mouth breathing. In that case, a nose/mouth mask (generally call a "full face" mask) is needed.

I would add that just because you started with a nose/mouth mask doesn't mean you always need one and vice-versa. Also, if you switch mask types, your ideal pressure setting might also need reassessment.


Note that I like to avoid the term "full face mask" since that term would imply that the eyes are covered too.

Go ahead and use the term "full face". The mask that "covers the eyes" is a Total Face Mask.

Sheriff

[Krelvin]

Never used a nasal mask. Was tested with and supplied with a full face mask (not Total Face) from the very beginning. I tend to mouth breath occasionally but try to not when possible. Night's that I tend to mouth breath I get cotton mouth and occasionally need to take a sip of water and go back to sleep.

BTW what works for you might not work for others. It is really something you have to try and figure out what works for you. For me, it took about 3 months at the beginning to figure it out. That is pretty fast for some and slow for others.