Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
JV1967
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:36 am
Location: Northeastern USA

Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by JV1967 » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:31 am

Can too much humidity in the hose cause lung issues like Pneumonia? I'm so new to all of this.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

User avatar
SleepDisturbed
Posts: 276
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:52 pm
Location: East Texas

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by SleepDisturbed » Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:22 am

No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: 9.6 - 15 Pressure on APAP. EPR 2 / Sleepyhead software
What I lack in verbosity, I make up in brevity.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by LSAT » Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:32 am

SleepDisturbed wrote:No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!



You shouldn't make comments like this.....? There are some people that will want to try it.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

JV1967
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:36 am
Location: Northeastern USA

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by JV1967 » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:11 pm

SleepDisturbed wrote:No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!
Thank you. I will try my best to keep the machine and accessories clean, and by the way, you made me giggle.

My ResMed Air Curve 10 ASV is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I just went out and purchased a table for it.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by Janknitz » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:35 pm

When you get your machine, you may find you have to experiment some with your humidifier to find the right setting. Too much OR too little humidity may cause sinus (not lung!) congestion. That is usually annoying, but not a problem unless you don't adjust your humidifier to find a setting that works for YOU and long term sinus congestion has side effects.

Some DME's put the fear of G-d into people if they dare adjust a setting. The humidifier is a patient comfort device, and your DME does not have to sleep with the darn thing. Adjust away until you find YOUR perfect setting.

We suggest making ONE change at a time and sleeping with it for a few nights (unless it's CLEARLY not working for you) so that you know what change made the difference.

This is going to take some good reasoning on your part, and patience. Approach it like a scientific study and you'll do fine.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

JV1967
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:36 am
Location: Northeastern USA

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by JV1967 » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:53 pm

Janknitz wrote:When you get your machine, you may find you have to experiment some with your humidifier to find the right setting. Too much OR too little humidity may cause sinus (not lung!) congestion. That is usually annoying, but not a problem unless you don't adjust your humidifier to find a setting that works for YOU and long term sinus congestion has side effects.

Some DME's put the fear of G-d into people if they dare adjust a setting. The humidifier is a patient comfort device, and your DME does not have to sleep with the darn thing. Adjust away until you find YOUR perfect setting.

We suggest making ONE change at a time and sleeping with it for a few nights (unless it's CLEARLY not working for you) so that you know what change made the difference.

This is going to take some good reasoning on your part, and patience. Approach it like a scientific study and you'll do fine.
Thank you for the advice. Will do.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

User avatar
BlackSpinner
Posts: 9745
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Contact:

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:06 am

For a lot of us with breathing issues so that cpap machine and humidifier is a blessing in disguise! Humidity and sinuses and bronchial issues go together - mine LOVES the added warm humid and filtered air. My asthma has decreased and my allergies are under better control. Colds and flues are easier to endure at night.

Remember all xpap therapy does is use enough pressure to keep your throat open, it doesn't inflate your lungs, in fact you can't blow up a balloon with it at max pressure. Plus the air that goes into your lungs is the same amount of air that you would be breathing in without the machine. You may feel some soreness in your chest the first week because your chest wall and diaphragm MUSCLES have to work harder breathing out again the pressure. Just like your leg muscles would feel sore after you decided to walk up to the 6th (or 10th) floor for the first few times.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal

JV1967
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:36 am
Location: Northeastern USA

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by JV1967 » Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:11 am

BlackSpinner wrote:For a lot of us with breathing issues so that cpap machine and humidifier is a blessing in disguise! Humidity and sinuses and bronchial issues go together - mine LOVES the added warm humid and filtered air. My asthma has decreased and my allergies are under better control. Colds and flues are easier to endure at night.

Remember all xpap therapy does is use enough pressure to keep your throat open, it doesn't inflate your lungs, in fact you can't blow up a balloon with it at max pressure. Plus the air that goes into your lungs is the same amount of air that you would be breathing in without the machine. You may feel some soreness in your chest the first week because your chest wall and diaphragm MUSCLES have to work harder breathing out again the pressure. Just like your leg muscles would feel sore after you decided to walk up to the 6th (or 10th) floor for the first few times.
I'm on a ResMed Aircurve 10, ASV Bilevel setting; for onset centrals and mild to moderate OSA. The DME guy just called me 10 mins ago. He's on the way to the house now. The poor guy asked me not to "hate him," because it's not his fault. I suspect several have abused him. I told him I'm not the hating type, and I won't be mean to him.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

User avatar
BlackSpinner
Posts: 9745
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Contact:

Re: Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:35 am

I was surprised how a change from 7 cm to 9 cm was a work out for my chest muscles when my doctor upped my pressure after titration. Even with a Bilevel you may feel a bit sore after the first night. For some people it feels as if they are having problems breathing the next day but all it is is protesting muscles.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal