First off, let's get our terminology straight. Obstructive sleep apnea (sometimes called just plain apnea or OSA for short) is a serious sleeping disorder that disturbs your normal sleep breathing. The disturbance is caused by a blockage in your airway and that in turn is caused by the soft tissue in your throat "over-relaxing " while you sleep.
The gold standard right now for treating sleep apnea is known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP for short. It is a therapy that delivers a continuous stream of air to your upper airway which keeps it open and unblocked throughout the night so you can get a deep, restful sleep. Sleep apnea machines create the airflow and it's delivered to the upper airway by sleep apnea masks which come in three basic configurations.
Nasal Pillow Masks
These are the smallest masks used in CPAP therapy. They get their "pillow" name from the fact that they make contact only with the nostrils via cushioned (or pillow-like) seals. They're held in place by a head strap that resembles the chin strap configuration you see football players wear. And they're usually the least expensive mask you can buy. That makes them the perfect choice for new OSA patients.
Nasal Masks
The next mask in line is the CPAP nasal mask. This has a wider coverage area as it covers the entire nose. The seal is formed around the outside of the nose usually by soft gel-like pads. These make a tight yet comfortable seal so there are no air leaks. Nasal masks are held in place usually by a double strap configuration - sort of the way a hockey mask is secured to a goaltender. This makes the seal pretty secure and allows the nasal mask to perform at a higher level.
Full Face Masks
Full face masks are the largest sleep apnea masks. They cover both the nose and mouth, a little like a scuba face mask covers a scuba diver's face. These masks are usually strapped on with a double strap with chin strap configuration. These masks tend to restrict sleeping positions more than their smaller cousins but they also deliver the strongest CPAP performance. Plus, they're the best choice for a patient who breathes through his or her mouth while they sleep.
All sleep apnea masks take a little getting used to. If you're new to CPAP therapy, you might want to start out with the nasal pillow mask first and work your way up as needed.
If you think you have a problem with sleep apnea, take a few minutes and learn more about its symptoms, and the devices used to treat it - especially Sleep Apnea Masks.