Posted by leavhouse on December 18, 2002 at 11:11:01:

In Reply to: Re: Theoretic question about humidifier posted by HAZY on December 18, 2002 at 08:47:31:

Some thoughts I have on this:

1) If you have any sort of leak, even intermittent, from nose to mouth (or mouth to nose), you increase the air flow through the upper airway resulting in more evaporation in the airway.

2) Some of us probably would breathe more freely (especially in dry climates) with slightly elevated room humidity regardless of PAP.

3) Since we utilize Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) the moistening fluids introduced (secreted? leaked from capillaries?) into the airway would seem to require greater "force"(?) to accomplish this than with an unpressurized airway.

4) Localized drying due to turbulence (air passing from the inlet to vent on mask) might be a factor, a.k.a. "wind chill factor".

5) With good ventilation (mask design) you might be rebreathing less exhaled (and moistened) air than without PAP therapy.

6) If the CPAP intake is at or near floor level, and there's not much room air movement, the breathed air is cooler than at pillow level. Perhaps the cooler air heats more (greater temperature difference) in your airway, allowing the air to absorb more moisture than air breathed in at pillow elevation.

7) Since PAP therapy helps keep the airway open, probably more air does get exchanged (better oxygen levels, less effort breathing) than without PAP, hence more drying.

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