CPAP or “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” is one of the most commonly used methods to treat sleep apnea and it’s been proven to be effective to the majority of users so let me share what I know about it!
So, how much are CPAP masks? The average price for CPAP masks ranges from $500, $850 up to $3000 while the newly developed ones called “mini CPAP masks” costs approximately $250 up to $600.
Most insurance policies actually cover the costs for CPAP treatment so it is also suggested to check your insurance policies first to determine whether you have to pay for the CPAP mask or not.
The CPAP machine treatment continuously improves itself to provide better comfort for the users. It is one of the most effective tools for treating sleep apnea.
Older CPAP machines cost lower but may come larger in size while the newer ones are more advanced and smaller in size but will be more expensive in price.
Commonly, a CPAP titration study has to be done at first to determine what level of air pressure the patient needs but today, new CPAP machines can use algorithms to adjust to the patient’s needs.
Pretty convenient, isn’t it?
It now possesses pressure sensors that were made possible by today’s new technology and it is also the reason why CPAP machine can be costly depending on where you live since market prices change everywhere.
As mentioned earlier, there are now what we call “mini CPAP masks” and they are the “wireless” versions of the traditional CPAP machine but it is still under development.
It was made since users of the traditional CPAP treatment cannot tolerate the fact that the mask is attached to a machine using a cord or a hose which can limit bedtime mobility and that is truly uncomfortable.
CPAP masks come with the machine so the prices mentioned here are already the “package price” and they usually sell the CPAP machine as a whole set so this is the amount you can expect.
CPAP masks may have different prices depending on where you live. It’s important to understand how it works before considering to buy one and understand what it can do for your health. Read on to learn more about it!
How CPAP masks works
CPAP’s therapy applies positive pressure to the airway using a mask connected to the machine.
Sleep apnea is usually caused by an obstructed airway which makes breathing difficult during sleep which is why giving positive pressure to the airway can help someone with sleep apnea breathe.
There are a lot of good things CPAP masks can do for our health! Just check this list to find out what it can do.
- Lessen daytime sleepiness
- Sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you use CPAP, you may prevent this.
- Anti-snoring device
- Using CPAP mask can control snoring tendencies.
- Avoid morning headaches
- Sleep apnea also causes headaches. CPAP users report better mornings without headaches after using CPAP.
- Avoid heart failures
- May lead to fatal conditions such as brain damages or even death
- Avoid heart attacks
- Can also be severely threatening
- Stop irregular heartbeats
- Worsens the ability to breathe
- Can trigger anxiety
- Prevent stroke
- Can leave permanent damage
- May lead to paralysis
- Avoid depression
- Not an easy condition to treat, sleep apnea can cause mental problems but CPAP can prevent that
- Avoiding the risk of diabetes
- Leaves you prone to more heart attacks
- Avoiding high blood pressure
- Aside from your physical health, this can also affect your mental health and relationship with people around you including your work. CPAP treatment can prevent this.
- Avoid worsening ADHD
- Sleep apnea reduces your ability to focus which is what happens when you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Having a lack of control to focus can lead to frustration
- Wake up with full energy
- With sleep apnea, your energy will be reduced since you are unable to sleep well.
- Avoiding the risk of seizures
- Sleep apnea patients are more prone to seizures during sleep compared to epilepsy patients without sleep apnea.
Where to buy CPAP masks
CPAP machines or masks can be bought online and there is a wide variety of options with different brands that patients can choose from, depending on what they prefer.
You can also visit sleeping centers or doctors that specializes in sleeping conditions to get your recommended CPAP mask so you don’t have to worry about where to get it from.
When do you need CPAP masks
Now, when exactly do you need to use CPAP? After all, the costs may be expensive depending on where you live. If you’re not ready to be diagnosed by a doctor, you can look out for the symptoms on your own.
- When you snore heavily
- Maybe, it can be a sign of fatigue but snoring loudly and usually can be a sign of sleep apnea.
- Gasping for air during sleep
- The feeling of drowning without knowing it and suddenly you’re out of air.
- If you have insomnia
- Having trouble going to sleep because you have breathing problems that you may not notice
- If you experience hypersomnia
- Having trouble staying awake in the morning because you were unable to sleep well due to your sleep apnea
- Waking up with a headache
- Sleep apnea can disturb your body’s “charging” state. Since you can’t sleep well, your body will use energy for means that can help you breathe which may lead to headaches.
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- With sleep apnea, the person tends to snore and keep their mouth open when gasping for air which leads to a dried up mouth once we awaken.
- Decreased ability to focus
- Sleep apnea can give lack of sleep which will also result in difficulty to focus on anything
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Your lack of energy due to sleep apnea can make you feel uncomfortable and irritable without your knowledge
- Suddenly stop breathing during sleep
- Your housemates should notice this and tell you about it. Sleep apnea can disrupt breathing that may last for up to 10 seconds which is already risky.
If you live alone or don’t have any means to check the symptoms by
yourself, there are sleep centers that conduct “sleep studies” where you
will stay for several nights where doctors and nurses will observe you.
They will be checking for symptoms of sleep apnea and from then
on, they may recommend to use the CPAP treatment during one night to
see the difference.
If CPAP makes you feel better, you might be positive with sleep apnea.
How long before you can get CPAP masks
It typically takes one to two weeks before you can receive the results of your sleep study and get CPAP. The doctors will carefully evaluate your diagnosis to determine if you need CPAP.
A sleep study is formally known as a polysomnography, the word “somn” derived from Latin “Somnus” which means “sleep”.
You may be required to undergo a sleep study session once or up to three times just to fully verify your sleeping habits.
The entire process takes longer if the patient does not show symptoms of sleep apnea the first time they conduct the sleep study.
CPAP is recommended for those who have obstructive sleep apnea and if the condition is already mild or severe. Sleep apnea at its early levels can be treated by other methods aside from CPAP.
Once the results of the sleep study come out after a week or two, the patient is recommended to get CPAP as early as possible to begin the treatment right away.
This is to test if the CPAP will work for the patient and if not, they will have to find another way to treat the patient’s sleep apnea.
How to treat sleep apnea without CPAP masks
Just in case you already tried or bought CPAP masks and it doesn’t work you, here are some alternate options that you can consider.
- Nasal Strips
- Nasal strips are one of the earliest tools used to treat sleep apnea and its symptoms such as snoring. Nowadays, there are newly developed nasal strips that you can try.
- Oral Appliance
- Oral pieces can help with sleep apnea, they are custom made to make sure it prevents the obstruction in the airways and counter sleep apnea.
- Lose weight
- Being overweight or obesity can be a cause of sleep apnea. You can potentially get rid of sleep apnea by getting plenty of exercises and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
- Stop or avoid smoking too much.
- Excessive smoking can cause or worsen sleep apnea. Reducing your smoke intake per day will also reduce the risk of getting sleep apnea. If possible, quit smoking to potentially get rid of sleep apnea.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Drinking too much alcohol before sleeping can cause and worsen sleep apnea just like smoking.
- Avoid sedatives before going to sleep
- Certain sedatives can cause sleep apnea. Consult a medical expert to determine what type of sedative may be the cause.
- Maintain a proper sleep routine.
- Sometimes, we end up getting exposed to sleep apnea since we simply don’t sleep at the right time. Try to avoid staying up late and sleep early.
- Try to keep a proper sleeping position as well. Try to sleep with your head elevated or sleeping in a recliner chair.
- Don’t overwork yourself all the time.
- Going to sleep exhausted can make us a lot more prone to sleep apnea. It’s important to relax a little bit at first before going to bed to lessen the risk of sleep apnea.
- Treat chronic allergies
- Some allergies can trigger obstruction in your body’s airways and may cause you to have sleep apnea. Treat or avoid triggering your allergies to prevent sleep apnea.
How do you permanently get rid of sleep apnea without CPAP? Well don’t worry, it is possible to cure sleep apnea today using surgeries.
- Rapid Maxillary Expansion
- For children with obstructive sleep apnea. This process places an expandable brace on the roof of the mouth that increases the width of the upper jaw (maxilla).
- Over time, parents can adjust the brace using a special key to increase the amount of pressure for the teeth.
- Jaw Advancement Surgery
- For teenagers and adults. This process will surgically break the jaw bones, moved forward and then fixed properly with screws and plates and will change the person’s facial structure or profile.
- It might take months to recover.
- Surgical Airway Advancement
- Similar to the 2nd example. Bones of the upper and lower jaw will be repositioned in a way that will relieve airway obstruction.
Related Questions
- What is the best CPAP mask for back sleepers?
There are different types of CPAP masks and if you happen to be a back sleeper, check out this list that might be good for your sleeping position.
- ResMed AirFit F30 Full Face Mask
- Fisher and Paykel Simplus Full Face Mask
- Fisher and Paykel Eson 2 Nasal Mask
- Respironics DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask
- ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask
- What is the best CPAP mask on the market?
There are different CPAP masks on the market right now, but currently, there are 7 on top of the market.
- Philips Respironics DreamWear Gel Nasal Pillow Mask
- Fisher & Paykel Brevida Nasal Pillow Mask
- Philips Respironics AmaraView Full Face Mask
- ResMed AirFit N20 Nasal Mask
- Philips Respironics DreamWear Under Nose Nasal Mask
- ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask
- Fisher & Paykel Simplus Full Face Mask