OptiPillows

(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses a motorized blower to force air into your airway to keep it open during both inhalation and exhalation. EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) is passive; it lets you breathe in naturally, but creates resistance when you breathe out. This resistance traps a small amount of air in the airway, creating positive pressure that keeps the throat from collapsing.

No. The OptiPillows EPAP mask is an FDA-cleared Class I medical device that is available over-the-counter without a prescription. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of snoring and mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

For patients with Severe Sleep Apnea, OptiPillows is generally not a replacement for CPAP, as it cannot generate the high continuous pressures required to keep the airway open during inhalation. However, it is widely used by CPAP patients as a travel alternative (for flights or camping) or by those with Mild to Moderate apnea and simple snoring who cannot tolerate the noise or claustrophobia of a CPAP machine.

No. Like all nasal pillow devices, OptiPillows requires you to breathe through your nose to generate the necessary back-pressure. If you are a mouth breather, the therapeutic pressure will escape through your lips. Users are often advised to use a chin strap or mouth tape in conjunction with the mask if they have trouble keeping their mouth closed.

Unlike disposable EPAP strips (which are thrown away daily), the OptiPillows mask is reusable. With proper cleaning (washing the nasal pillows daily and the valve weekly), the device is designed to last approximately one year. The kit typically comes with three sizes of nasal pillows (Small, Medium, Large) to ensure a proper seal.