How to Prevent Leaks in a CPAP Mask

Mayo Clinic defines sleep apnea as a serious sleeping disorder where a person's breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine can be beneficial to anyone who suffers moderate to severe sleep apnea. The machine gently sends air through a mask into the back of a person's throat, preventing pauses in breathing. However, the mask must have a strong seal and be free from leaks to keep the airways open.

Instructions

• 1

  Wash your face. You should do this each night before bed. The natural oils on your skin prevents the masks from forming a proper seal.

• 2

  Clean the tubing and mask each morning and hang to dry. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends washing the mask daily and following the manufacturer's directions for cleaning the mask to prevent leaks. This removes any oil from the skin that may deteriorate the mask or cause it not to seal properly.

• 3

  Adjust the mask or straps to make sure they aren't too tight or too loose. Either extreme increases the likelihood of leaks.

• 4

  Contact your doctor if the problem persists. The leak could be the result of a mask that is too large or too small, which requires a mask refitting by a specialist.