CPAP AND SINUS INFECTIONS

[MRSPOO]

AFTER USING THE CPAP MACHINE FOR SEVERAL NIGHTS THE DISCHARGE FROM MY NOSE GOES FROM CLEAR, TO YELLOW TO GREEN. DOES ANYONE HAVE A SUGGESTION ON HOW TO PREVENT WHAT LOOKS LIKE A SINUS INFECTION?

[ThunderSnorem]

Sounds like a sinus infection.

It IS that time of year when they are more likely to occur. I wouldn't think it is at all related to CPAP, just a bad coincidence.

[curtcurt46]

I had this same problem early on in my therapy. My sinuses were clear most of the day, however when I laid down they clogged up. I went to an ENT and I found out that my septum was deviated and my turbinates were enlarged from allergies. I had this fixed as a day surgery and I can now use a nose mask or pillows. I really didn't realize how bad my sinuses were until I could experience the difference.

Might want to get it checked out.

[Snoredog]

I would try a Saline rhino rinse, I would use as pure a water as you can find (distilled is best).

Mix:

-8oz. pure water (warmed)
-1/4 teaspoon of Salt (sea salt or uniodized is best)
-"pinch" of Arm&Hammer baking soda (pinch between index and thumb)

I warm the solution in the microwave, don't make it too hot. The above solutions is about the Ph of eye tears. Baking soda breaks down dried mucosa.

With head over a sink, squirt solution into one side of nares and allow it to run out the other, tilt head back for few seconds so it can get in deeper in the sinuses, repeat 2-3 times or using half of solution, repeat with other nare, blow nose. You should get instant relief.

You might want to start off doing this every evening before bed then you should only need it 2-3 week. If you have allergies you should see relief from them as well.

Your sinuses have tiny pockets, when you first start on cpap it can force allergens or irritants in these pockets which can result in a sinus infection. Flushing out the allergens that stick to the nasal cavity with the saline rinse will allow the turbinates to shrink down and restore free breathing.

[birdshell]

My frequent (6-8 a year) sinus infections were helped by this--from my allergist/immunologist:

1. allergy testing
2. immunology testing
3. CAT scan showed sinus polyp
4. prescribed Flonase
5. prescribed saline nasal wash (normal saline with 3 antibiotics, but he says a nasal wash of normal saline is almost as good)

There are many discussions of the saline wash, neti pots, Grossan irrigator, child's dosing syringe, bulb, normal saline recipe, etc.

Snoredog describes the procedure that I use almost exactly. However, I mix only half of the recipe at a time, using warm tap water. (I mix it fresh for EACH use, and discard whatever is left afterward.) I use 5-10 cc in each syringe full and do the whole procedure twice a day. Most use the wash once a day after the first week, according to my allergist.

If one searches for these topics, more reading than is possible in one sitting will probably come up!

Best wishes,

Karen