How to keep using your CPAP when you have nasal congestion

Riz and Kim will discuss how you can continue using your CPAP when you have nasal congestion. And, they'll be presenting the April mask of the month.
Dealing with sleep apnea and allergies - how can they be treated: bit.ly/2QwtdXu
4 Tips for using your CPAP machine with spring allergies: bit.ly/3gi2gBt
Apnea Health's newsletter: bit.ly/3uHG3AO

[@markl1129]

Tips begin at the 8:30 mark

[@JT-qz5xw]

Thank you!

[@stephennakhoul4446]

Thank you 🙏

[@Tee_Rod]

Thank u!

[@timbuchman9158]

Thank you 🙏 very informative..good job👍

[@bryanstark324]

You guys are really nice. My sleep tech is not and she would not even let me try new masks.

[@michelleoakes4383]

I can’t use a full face Mask I have nasal congestion at the moment but have turned up my humidifier to max and it’s starting to help

[@lauravest9964]

When you have to use a tissue do you have to unfasten the mask or can you just lift it? How does it the data report and events per hour Same quedtion for when you need to scratch an intolerable itch

[@michaelbattistamusic]

If your congestion is not allergy but just a cold or flu then it’s just impossible to use the CPAP no matter how high you turn up the humidifier.

[@stevec.5010]

use the full mask plus decongestant ~ got it.

[@sylvia09xyz]

I don't feel the question was actually answered. It seems you mostly emphasized that we should continue to try to use the CPAP, but didn't explain what to do when we are struggling with congestion (breathing through the nose) and still trying to wear the mask. When congested, I often am sneezing while wearing the mask or I even get post nasa drip and it becomes very annoying to continually have to take off the mask, use the tissues to wipe my nose AND the nasal pillows continuously. I use a saline solution rinse but it doesn't seem to have any affect on the congestion.

[@apneesante]

Hi Sylvia, If the sneezing and runny nose were present before before you started CPAP treatment: We would suggest that you speak to your doctor to see if you might have allergies. From there, they'll either prescribe antihistamines or a nasal steroid spray or advise you to try to reduce the allergens in your bedroom (like closing your bedroom windows or getting an air purifier). --- If the sneezing began with treatment, here's a few possible causes: 1) Allergens in the equipment itself, which can be caused by the cleaner you're using or in some cases, the equipment needs to be cleaned more regularly (around 10:37 in the video, Riz suggests trying to clean once a week) 2) The air you breath in during treatment is too dry (which can cause a runny nose and sneezing in some cases). This can be fixed by turning up the humidification on your CPAP.

[@sylvia09xyz]

@@apneesante Thank you so much for your reply. The nasal congestion started after I began using the CPAP several years ago. My doctor recommended allergy medication. My own hours of online research finally led me to learn it was due to the water chamber of the CPAP machine and humidity levels (as you stated in the second point of your reply.) By 'connecting the dots' I finally realized I was sneezing the whole day after allowing the water chamber to go dry (since I don't know how to adjust the humidity settings.) My CPAP company seems to be more concerned with refilling the supplies needed than answering questions. So... I still continue to struggle at night when using my mask while uncomfortably enduring sneezing and a runny nose until I've had a successful treatment with the correct amount of water (and therefore humidity) through the night. Again, thank you for your reply.

[@apneesante]

Hi @@sylvia09xyz ​ We forgot to include this link in our last reply, a video on how to adjust the humidity in your CPAP: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2Gmf4OqociAmKc

[@sylvia09xyz]

@@apneesante Excellent! Exactly what I've needed! I never realized it could be so easy! Thank you!

[@kyleduddleston4123]

​@@sylvia09xyz And they still managed to not answer the question. What do we do when wearing the mask isn't practical with our sinus/nasal symptoms?

[@kanzaahmad5746]

I started cpap last month and it changed my life for better but after couple weeks it stopped working for me and the good affect away.Im using nasal mask so could there be nose blackage and maybe thats why I’m not getting the same benefits and also I have deviated septum. Pls answer

[@NBPostman]

If you have congestion do yo increase or decrease humidity?

[@apneesante]

Hello 🙂, To help with congestion, we suggest increasing the humidity on your machine

[@ambervereide6612]

Since I started using my cpap 4 days ago I sneeze 25+ times a day and runny nose continuously....help!!! Thanks

[@apneesante]

Hi Amber, Sorry for the delayed reply! For the issue you mentioned: our respiratory therapists suggest that you try to lower your machine's humidity level

[@walteredwards2683]

This comment comes a year later, but I discovered that when I start sneezing, I have to clean my mask and tubing. Even if they are new, clean them first. Clean them as often as needed.