Why does this happen?

Marzzz · Post by **Marzzz** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:15 am

Before I was treated for sleep apnea, I would always wake up with a dry mouth. Apparently my jaw became relaxed and I would breathe through my mouth as well as my nose. Now when I wear my ComfortLite2 (nasal pillows or direct seal) and use my BiPAP, my mouth stays shut and I breathe only through my nose.

If I experiment and try to doze off without my mask, my jaw relaxes and drops open again. Does this mean I am not getting enough air through my nose without the BiPAP, and the mouth compensates by opening up to get more air in? My pressure is only set at 8.

Any ideas on this?

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:28 pm

Since it's not a PROBLEM, no, I don't have any ideas.

LOL,
B.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:44 pm

nasal congestion without CPAP would cause you to breathe through your mouth.

Try this:

1. Get a small hand-held mirror and flashlight.
2. Put your nasal mask on, turn On your machine.
3. Observe how far you can open your mouth before it starts to leak. Shine the flashlight in the back of the throat area and observe the "seal" being made between the soft palate and the tongue. Your Uvula should land in the "V" of the tongue and make the seal there.

While everyone's anatomy is different, you should see a "seal" between your soft palate and at base of the tongue. It is when that seal is broken do you start to mouth leak/breathe.

Do that and you will understand the dynamics behind CPAP making that seal, I can open my mouth quite a ways (good 1 inch) and don't get any leaks in that palate-to-tongue seal. It is the reason I will never have surgery to those areas.

If you had your tonsils removed as a child, you may not be able to maintain that seal depending on if they trimmed any of your soft palate.

It is much easier to maintain that seal if you keep your tongue planted into the hard palate, then the CPAP pressure should push your soft palate down on the tongue base and make the seal.

Marzzz · Post by **Marzzz** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:06 am

Hmm, interesting. Thanks for the input!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:34 am

I have COPD and do a LOT of mouth breathing, moreso than nose breathing, thru out the day. With some real exertion I can't get enough air thru my nose, or at least that is the way it seems, I "have" to breathe thru my mouth.

Yet, I'm not mouth breathing w/CPAP. I do occasionally experience the "lip flutters" but that is EXPELLING air not breathing any in. So, yeah, I think that w/CPAP you're getting enough air so your brain doesn't feel the need to mouth breathe.

That's not to say that that is the case for every xPAPper, just that it is the case w/me and quite likely could be for you as well.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:07 am

I agree with Babette. This is a non-issue. You need to be on cpap, so why even wonder? Just be grateful you don't have to tape like i do to get a good nights sleep. Some nights the pressure is so determined to open my mouth I wake up with it trying to blow through the tape!

jen

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:12 am

socknitster wrote:I agree with Babette. This is a non-issue. You need to be on cpap, so why even wonder? Just be grateful you don't have to tape like i do to get a good nights sleep. Some nights the pressure is so determined to open my mouth I wake up with it trying to blow through the tape!

jen

Have you tried puckering up your lips to see how long you can whistle?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:15 am

Its not that it is an issue or a non-issue. I think it is just a matter of curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction brought it back.

Obviously, we all agree it is nothing to be concerned about but its nice to know some of the possible reasons for WHY.

Just NEVER sleep w/o your xPAP!!! THAT is the important issue. Not even a "power nap" w/o it.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:30 am

yeah, slinky, that is what I was trying to say. I think all the cleaning chemicals over the last few days have gone to my brain, I better log off b4 I say something really dumb!

Jen

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:41 am

Hey, you aren't the only one who has trouble putting in writing what I mean to say!!! Or who has misspoke themselves. Matter of fact, I just "ate crow" in another post a few minutes ago when DreamStalker posted the real "facts".

I've never said my only vice was my perfection and I haven't seen where you've ever said that about yourself either! Hey, we were both human last I knew.

Marzzz · Post by **Marzzz** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:58 pm

Obviously, we all agree it is nothing to be concerned about but its nice to know some of the possible reasons for WHY.

Thank you slinky. I appreciate that. There is a reason I ask this question, unfortunately, I just can't explain now. It may not seem to be important to some, but that doesn't mean it has no value. (Personally I am looking forward to the day when no one has to use CPAP.) Besides there is no rule that states all posts have to address a PROBLEM.

Anyway, if we stop asking questions, we never learn new things. Scientists ask questions all the time, and thank goodness they do.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:54 pm

Right on, Marzzz. There's the old "saw": the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked. And: there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. I've been guilty of both.