Posted by SleepyTimeGal on February 20, 2009 at 10:20:24:In Reply to: Sinus problems with BiPap posted by wumpa on February 19, 2009 at 17:43:23:
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence on these forums that using any form of PAP without humidity is intensely drying and irritating to the mucous membranes and causes swelling and congestion. Some people manage to avoid this problem and never need added humidity; however, I think they're in the minority.
Since you're already using humidity, my first suggestion would be to crank the heat up a notch or two. If you get rainout, use an insulating sleeve for the hose. Also try placing your BiPap lower than your head so any condensation in the hose will drain back into the humidifier.
Some PAP users find that a daily saline rinse with a neti pot or a Neilmed bottle helps.
If you still have problems, see your doctor about a possible infection or the existence of allergies. It isn't that the PAP causes the infection or allergies; rather, the increased volume of air dries and stresses the membranes to the point of vulnerability to other factors that were not previously an issue.
In any event, do not quit using your BiPap.
FYI, I began using CPAP in late 2001 without any humidity at all. I have severe allergies for which I've been treated. Within a week of beginning CPAP, I had unbelievable -- and miserable -- problems with congestion. It took about a month of heated humidity to bring it back under control, but since then I'm very comfortable breathing through my nose, which had been pretty much impossible for about 20 years. And I can't remember the last time I had a cold.
- Re: Sinus problems with BiPap sleepygal2 11:24 2/21/09 (1)
- Re: Sinus problems with BiPap Breezely 08:28 6/09/09 (0)