Leakage chart

[Jim Logan]

This has been discussed but I have forgotten as it was some time ago. How do you tell mouth breathing from genuine mask leaks.
I have pretty good low AHI's but cannot seem to get the leak rate down. I am using a pillow mask. Tried face masks bit cannot get a good fit.
Beard doesn't help I know!

Thanks

[HalfAsleep]

IMO a dropped mouth with a nasal mask would have the same effect as a mask leak. They both entail air leaking from an otherwise "closed" space, namely nose, mouth, lungs, trachea combined. Successful CPAP therapy depends on there being no outlet from that closed system EXCEPT the exhale port on an FFM mask.

If you don't want to wear an FFM, try a soft cervical collar to minimize mouth drop.

[Jim Logan]

Thanks for that.