Nasal pillows for Sleep Apnea are a type of CPAP mask consisting of a plastic insert that fits in your nostrils.
These earbuds-looking pillows come with minimal designs that reduce their contact with the face and make it effortless to sleep at night.
Their small cushions that reside at the end of your nose helps to eliminate any problem you may have with past CPAP treatments like air leaks and claustrophobia.
Nowadays, thanks to advancements in technology, you can find nasal pillows with a mouth covering or mouth guard to increase their effectiveness.
Contents
How Are Nasal Pillows for Sleep Apnea Used?
Standard nasal pillows are supposed to be placed at the patient’s nostril entrance and can be used to direct the pressurized air into your body.
They are very lightweight and easy to use. The pillows are flexible and do not leave any marks on the person’s face or nose.
Some pros to nasal pillows include:
More flexibility
If you love to watch TV shows before you sleep, sleep pillows are the best option for you.
Regular CPAP makes it harder to ignore the bulky mask on your face and concentrate on television or book; nasal pillows make it seamless due to its compact body.
Some patients like to watch television or read before they go to sleep, and regular CPAP masks could make it harder to do this. Nasal pillows provide more open vision than full face masks or traditional nasal masks.
Great for men
Regular nasal masks usually fit over the nose and around the nose, which makes it challenging for men with a mustache to wear.
Luckily, nasal pillows aid air leaks by directly inserting the air into your nostrils.
Lightweight
Although these CPAP treatments are excellent for improving your sleep quality, let’s not ignore the fact that it is quite uncomfortable to wear such bulky masks on your face.
On the other hand, nasal pillows consist of a lightweight body and minimal design to make them effortless to wear during sleep.
Don’t leave marks
One of the main reasons why many people prefer to opt for nasal pillows over any other treatment is that it doesn’t leave marks on your face.
Cons of Nasal Pillows
Everything comes at a price.
The real question is, how much of it can you bear among the sea of pros and cons to make the best decision. Here are some of the drawbacks you must consider before going for nasal pillows.
Not for people with higher pressure
Nasal people make it difficult for people who require high pressure to enjoy the benefits of nasal pillows. This is because they are specially meant for delivering low direct pressure to your nose.
A few instances of patients suffered from nosebleeds and nasal dryness due to this artificial air pumped to your nostrils.
It might not be so comfortable.
Nasal pillows may not be suitable for everyone. Some people find it difficult to wear it daily as it tickles and irritates the nostrils. Other than that, if you happen to get the wrong size, it can leave your nose feeling sore in the morning.
Allergies
People who are allergic to plastic may not find it a good option.
Therefore, if you buy any CPAP product for the first time, it’s never a bad idea to consult your doctor before purchase.
What is the Most Comfortable CPAP Nasal Pillow?
Now that you are aware of the fundamentals of nasal pillows, if you think of opting for one, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise that you get overwhelmed with the countless options available.
I get it; I totally do.
Therefore, I decided to do all the homework for you.
Here are the top 4 nasal masks for sleep apnea:
1. Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Cushion
Here comes the nasal pillow that has been raved for providing maximum secure fit and satisfaction to make your nights second to none.
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Cushion is designed to seal correctly on your face using 3D facial scan data points.
It is specifically meant to stay gentle on the skin.
However, it is also true you can’t invest your hard-earned money into something you aren’t completely sure of.
The manufacturer understands that.
Therefore, it allows you to try the nasal pillow for sleep apnea with a 30-day guarantee to ensure you don’t get into the hassle of wrong purchases.
2. Airfit P10 System – Medium Pillow
This nasal pillow feels like earbuds for your nostrils.
They are known to be highly comfortable and snugly on your face.
This goes hand in hand with other CPAP treatments to eliminate any breathing problems you may have while sleeping.
It consists of a cushion with a seal that gets inserted into the nostrils through the straps attached.
This Airfit P10 System Medium Pillow is minimal and lightweight to reduce contact with your face and eliminate chances of skin irritation in the long run.
What gives them a competitive edge over the rest is how they are specifically made for men with beards.
As they are made of silicone, they can effectively transfer air to your nostrils while providing the ever-needed comfort and softness.
The best part, unlike most of the nasal pillows that you will find out there, this one is designed to be hypoallergenic by using the highest quality silicone.
It also comes with elastic headgear to keep your mask in place while you toss and turn in your sleep.
3. Resmed Swift FX Replacement Pillow Size Medium
The unique design of Resmed Swift FX Replacement Pillow Size Medium lightly sits on your cheeks to give a more effortless feel.
If you feel uncomfortable with nasal pillows, this model might change it.
The silicone frame is highly comfortable and is known to encourage CPAP therapy acceptance.
The adjustability feature of the pillows allows you to securely seal the pillow on your face to give you the freedom to sleep in your favorite position.
To improve your comfort, the manufacturers have designed it to add dual-wall flaps for a firmer yet soft fit to give you the right amount of flexibility to accommodate movement and ensure it doesn’t fall off.
This quiet, adjustable, and incredibly lightweight nasal pillow might provide you with a baby-like sleep every day, so you get to say goodbye to fatigues and snoring.
Whether it is quality that you’re searching for convenience or adjustability, this specific nasal pillow has got it all!
Habitual side sleepers may take advantage of its firm grip.
Conclusion
As the right nasal pillow can significantly improve your sleep quality, a wrong type can yield the opposite effect.
Therefore, to gain overall enhanced performance and sleep quality, you need to rigorously research and try out the best nasal pillows that can serve exactly what you need.
The type of mask and its material plays a significant role in yielding the desired result.
Another thing worth mentioning is the maintenance of these nasal pillows for sleep apnea. Regular cleaning of these pillows is a crucial factor in optimizing your CPAP therapy.
It can also extend the life of your equipment and ensure the oil and skin cells collected on the mask don’t disrupt the snug fit of your nasal pillow.
So, keep yourself informed, get your priorities right, choose the best nasal pillow among the top 5 best mentioned above, and get the good sleep you deserve.
Cheers!
