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I also have routine congestion and have always been a mouth breather (including prior to CPAP treatment). I've experimented with various humidifier settings, sprays, masks, and chin straps, but I recently switched to using a full face mask and the early results look promising. With a regular nasal mask I routinely pull it off at night due to congestion, but with the full face mask I can just breathe out of the mouth if the nose gets congested, so the mask stays on and I get treatment. It took a few naps and nights sleep to get used to the full face mask, but it was worth the switch. Hopefully a new problem does not crop up over time (i.e. dry mouth, leaks, face marks, mask removal, etc...). Sometimes problems arise after using a mask for a while due to the way the mask deteriorates, causing a less than ideal fit.

Florida is pretty humid most of the time - if you're using humidity (because you think it's 'therapy'), try lowering the setting or not using it at all. If your local climate doesn't need added humidity for the machine to work, there's no need to use it... but experiment for yourself. Unneessary humidity will cause congestion.

Ahem.


Do Full Face masks help with nasal congestion?
Post by paradiddle » Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:53 am


JPB

ryanfunk77 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:39 am

I also have routine congestion and have always been a mouth breather (including prior to CPAP treatment). I've experimented with various humidifier settings, sprays, masks, and chin straps, but I recently switched to using a full face mask and the early results look promising. With a regular nasal mask I routinely pull it off at night due to congestion, but with the full face mask I can just breathe out of the mouth if the nose gets congested, so the mask stays on and I get treatment. It took a few naps and nights sleep to get used to the full face mask, but it was worth the switch. Hopefully a new problem does not crop up over time (i.e. dry mouth, leaks, face marks, mask removal, etc...). Sometimes problems arise after using a mask for a while due to the way the mask deteriorates, causing a less than ideal fit.

It's rare for a mask to deteriorate...especially FF Masks. They are made of plastic which lasts forever and usually a silicone cushion which..if cared for...will last a long time. In fact...silicone can be boiled to restore its stiffness and shape. I have been using the same FF mask for well over a year and have changed the cushion once.

I was referring to how to the mask sometimes stretches out over time, which can lead to more leaks.

ryanfunk77 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 11:08 am

I was referring to how to the mask sometimes stretches out over time, which can lead to more leaks.

Good to know!

JPB