People with obstructive sleep apnea experience intermittent pauses in their breathing during the night when their muscles relax and their upper airways narrow or collapse. Continuous positive pressure, or CPAP, machines deliver a set amount of compressed air to the respiratory tract to keep the airways open. In the U.S. alone, 18 million people have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but less than 50 percent use their CPAP machines on a regular basis to ensure a good night's sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Manufacturers are constantly developing more comfortable interfaces to promote compliance with CPAP.
Identification
CPAP units have three components: a programmable air compressor that delivers a column of air, an interface for the nose or face that ensures the air is delivered to the upper airways and a hose to connect the other two components. Puritan Bennett manufactures a product called the Breeze SleepGear CPAP Interface that's comprised of a hose guide, a strap wraps around the crown of the head to hold the hose guide in place, and a cradle pad on the top of the head that connects the hose guide to the head strap.
Features
Breeze SleepGear is not a mask per se, but an interface that connects the hose running from the CPAP machine to either a nasal mask or a nasal pillow. Puritan Bennett recommends either the DreamSeal Mask, a triangular mask that fits snugly around the nose to create a tight seal, or nasal pillows. The DreamSeal Mask is available in standard, large and shallow sizes, while the nasal pillows are available in seven different sizes. Sold in pairs that fit snugly within each nostril, nasal pillows deliver compressed air from the hose into the upper airways.
Benefits
According to Puritan Bennett, Breeze SleepGear CPAP Interfaces offer a very quiet exhalation vent that eliminates some of the annoying sounds of the exhaled compressed air. The hose guide and head strap aren't as confining as traditional CPAP headgear, and allow people to sleep in almost any position without restriction. The cradle pad has plenty of padding to promote comfort and reduce skin irritation.
Considerations
CPAP products and headgear, including the Breeze SleepGear CPAP Interface, are prescription medical devices. Individuals interested in obtaining these products will need an order from either a physician or a licensed homecare provider, says Puritan Bennett.
Tips
Puritan Bennett offers a complementary downloadable poster with a step-by-step illustrated guide that individuals can use to ensure their nasal mask fits comfortably and works effectively.
