cool humidifer causing stuffiness

auntiebeccaneedssleep · Post by **auntiebeccaneedssleep** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:53 pm

Does anybody use a cool humidifier and wake up all stuffed up? Any ideas on what to do? I use a nasal spray in the morning, but waking up in the middle of the night all stuffed up is kind of scary since I am trying to teach myself not to breathe through my mouth.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:48 pm

becca, is your house air-conditioned? I know that a lot of people (or their doctors and DMEs) think people don't need a heated humidifier if they already live in a warm, humid climate. But I don't think the climate of the area necessarily means much if one's house or bedroom has an air conditioner going.

Even without an air conditioner, there's a big difference between just walking around breathing humid air as opposed to having a rapid air flow blowing directly (or almost directly) into the nostrils. That can be very drying no matter what the outside humidity is.

I'd get a heated humidifier, if I were you. If it turns out that adding a bit of additional warmth and humidified air doesn't help, or bothers you even more, you can always turn the heated humidifier off. But at least it will be available if you do need it.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:57 pm

If you have one of the flat type heated humidifiers you can try putting a heating pad under it and warm the water up a bit. (at least until you get a heated humidifier)

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:34 pm

I use a flat, pass over humidifier and have no trouble.

HOWEVER, I do take Allegra, squirt Flonase twice a day, and in the event of a nose that gets runny, I use doctor prescribed Ipratropium which really works.
I am never stuffed up, or dried out.

Not everyone is the same but it works for me.

auntiebeccaneedssleep · Post by **auntiebeccaneedssleep** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:04 pm

My room is not air-conditioned, but I will be moving at the end of the month back to northern California, and I think my new room has air. Does the heated humidifier make you hot? I HATE being hot while I sleep.

Thanks for the help all.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:05 pm

No, not for me anyway. I don't feel hot with it on. And, they are adjustable, as far as the heat goes.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:07 pm

A trick that I learned is this. Don't turn on the heater before you put the mask on. Wait till you are all situated with the mask, and then turn the heat on. The temperature will slowly rise and you won't even notice it. If you do it the other way it feels like a sauna...

cool humidifer causing stuffiness

cool humidifer causing stuffiness

thanks