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The Curious Bag
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Nasal pillows, also called nose pillows, refer to tiny flexible pillows used with CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, therapy. CPAP therapy treats sleep apnea, a condition in which patients have difficulty breathing while sleeping.
Significance
The National Institutes of Health estimates 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea have trouble getting a good night's rest because they constantly have to wake up in order to breathe.
CPAP Therapy
Traditionally CPAP therapy involves wearing headgear, attached with a tube (that connects to the CPAP unit) and mouth mask at night to help you breathe while you sleep. Nose pillows act as an alternative to the mouth mask.
Function
Nasal pillows are inserted into your nostrils at night. The nasal pillows connect to a plastic adapter, which connects to the tubing on the headgear.
Benefits
Using nasal pillows helps to relieve stress from the bridge of your nose. Additionally, nose pillows, unlike the traditional mouth mask, do not cause any skin irritation.
Warning
Pressure settings prescribed for CPAP therapy ranges from 4 cm H20 to 20 cm H20. Patients who need higher pressure CPAP therapy may find nose pillows to be more uncomfortable than mouth masks.
Source:
American Sleep Apnea Association: Choosing a Mask and Headgear
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