If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea then you’re probably either looking into or already using CPAP therapy. CPAP is an acronym that stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and that pressure is delivered to a CPAP mask that the sleep apnea patient wears through their entire night of sleep.

Of the devices used in the therapy (CPAP machine, flexible tubing, CPAP mask), the mask is the most personal and requires the most care and maintenance. So here are a few tips to get the job done.

Don’t go for a real tight fit. The mask needs to fit securely around your face but not tightly. If you tighten it too much, it will leak and the therapy’s effects and benefits will be lost. Also, make sure to do any last minute “fine tuning” adjustments when you’re lying down and the CPAP machine is turned on.

Once you’ve found the right fit for you, mark the straps so you can find it again even faster the next time. You can do this with a pen or a magic marker. Don’t worry too much about how it looks; after all, you’ll be wearing it mostly in the dark while you’re asleep not while you’re driving around town.

When not in use, store the mask in a dust-free box or drawer. Both might be an even better idea – store the mask in a box inside a drawer. Your facial oils and perspiration will adhere to the mask so leaving it out will just attract dust and dirt to it. Keep it stored away and you’ll have less cleaning to do.

Clean and disinfect the mask once a week. Every manufacturer will give you a handbook to follow for the proper care of your mask. In it you’ll find their recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting. Follow them. The more your clean the mask, the longer it will last.

If you find the air too cold, route the tubing under your blanket or pillow to warm it up. Some CPAP machines will pump colder than others and some people are more sensitive to cooler air than others. If either is the case with you, just know that you can sometimes warm up the pressurized air a bit by insulating the tubing.

If you wake up with uncomfortably dry sinuses or throat, try using a nasal spray before your next treatment. The air is usually dry coming out of a CPAP machine and for some people that presents a sinus or throat irritation problem. Sometimes that can be alleviated by a nasal spray application just before bedtime. But for others, it’s not enough. If you find yourself in the latter category, you many need to purchase a CPAP machine that has an integrated humidifier. The humidifier will treat the air, moisten it up, and even heat it – all of which can solve your sinus problem.

The last tip - if you can afford one, purchase a backup mask. CPAP masks are relatively inexpensive nowadays and they’re readily available too so consider buying a backup before you need one. Remember, straps break, seals break, and masks even get misplaced from time-to-time. And every one of these occurrences will happen right at bedtime when you need the mask most. So be prepared in advance and have a backup.

If it hasn’t already, your CPAP mask will soon become a very personal piece of property to you. Treat it right and take care of it so it can take care of you.