Millions and millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a stoppage of breathing while sleeping that is characterized by loud gasps, physical struggles, and morning headaches as well as tremendous feelings of fatigue and sleepiness during the day.

Though there are many different cures for sleep apnea, most people can find a huge amount of relief through the use ofsleep apnea masks.  They are called C-PAP masks that stand for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask.  Do not misunderstand; it is not the mask itself that cures sleep apnea.  It is important to note that the mask is linked by a lightweight air hose to a machine which makes continuous air that the sleeper is so direly in need of.

How this works is that the machine blows gentle air into the nose or mouth of the person wearing the mask.  There is just enough air coming through that it keeps the patient’s throat from falling into a downward position that had previously hampered the facility of the patient to breathe.

People look at the masks and immediately assume that there is no way they will ever be able to sleep wearing such a thing.  Quite the opposite is true, as most people have said that they’ve never slept so well as they have since acquiring a C-PAP machine.

Sleep apnea masks come in a variety of types, headgear, sizes and designs.  Some are purely oral-air-delivery masks, some nasal-air-delivery masks and some a combination of both oral and nasal-air-delivery systems.

The goal of each mask is to obtain perfect fit, sure delivery of air, all while keeping the person comfortable enough to sleep.  Soft silicone gels and seals provide comfort. There are even masks that do not even require headgear. Or you may be introduced to nasal pillows that allow the air to come through solely your nose while using a mask.

The machines themselves sometimes come integrated with heated humidifiers, are easy to transport for travel, and have settings chosen by your doctor that are individualized to especially serve your needs.

New technology has been applied to the standard C-PAP machine. There is now have a BiPAP machine.  BiPAP is the abbreviation for Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure. It actually allows the constant air to be interrupted when the patient breathes out, and that is why it is referred to as Bi-level.  This means that you now no longer need to exhale against the constant air pressure.

Those who suffer from other breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease, COPD, find that the Bi-PAP is more than helpful to them. Also, patients who suffer from neuromuscular diseases find it is much easier to use a Bi-PAP than a C-PAP. Those decisions for Bi-PAPs as opposed to C-PAPs are, of course, also made by your doctor or sleep therapist for you.

If you suffer from congenital heart disease, you may find that having sleep apnea was the cause of it, or partially the cause.  You will perhaps discover that either a C-PAP orsleep apnea masksare just the answer you have sought for many years of restless sleep, night sweats, heart palpitations and feeling as if you do not receive the restful sleep you seek.