Heated Humidifiers

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:02 pm

Okay. I know I'm going to get reamed for this one, but I don't know what the big deal is about the heated humidifier. I have had one since I went on therapy and I don't truthfully find it all that great. Many nights, I feel it makes me feel like I can't breathe, and I have mine set at #1. If it's at all hot and humid out, I won't even think to turn it on.

Now I know people claim it helps with their allergies, but isn't moist warm air a breeding ground for bacteria? I worry about pumping that into my nose for 7-10 hours at a time. I guess I would use it more if I enjoyed it or felt it benefitted me in some way, but I'm not feeling it.

Am I doing my therapy, and myself, a disservice by not using it all the time? Just what is the benefit of using it anyway?

Okay. Fire away...

Sleepyman · Post by **Sleepyman** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:16 pm

I am still a newbie so not much experience, that said in this weather I never use the heat just passive humidity. Much more comfortable, but I've always wondered if I'm missing something. I hope you get the pros to respond, then we'll all know.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:32 pm

Sleepless , You live on LI. THe humid capital of all. Wait til winter when the snow is on the ground and the heat is turned up. You wake with your mouth stuck shut.

For the rest of us the HH helps prevent mouthbreatheing , sinus problems and a host of other ailements.

Read article. http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/Articles. ... d=S0405F02

Now go for a bikeride.

20 miles tomorrow

:twis ted:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:34 pm

It simply depends on the individual. A lot of people don't need or like warmed humidified air. A lot do. There's nothing "magic" about using it or not, if it's just a comfort preference.

Some people actually need it to keep their nasal passages from drying out. Others don't have that problem.

Some need it only when they wear a full face mask and are mouthbreathing in the mask. Others get by fine without.

Some find it helps open their nasal passages, especially if they have sinus issues. Others find it makes no difference. Some have even reported having more congestion if they used any/much heated humidification.

I don't think it really affects treatment one way or the other, unless a particular individual finds the treatment so uncomfortable without heated humidification that the person can't "do" cpap without it. Many don't use heated humidification and do just fine.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:02 pm

Lori,

I found this thread... sort of applies to your question....

Heated humidifier, Can it really help?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:22 pm

Chrisp writes:

Now go for a bikeride.

20 miles tomorrow

You amaze me. I will only be doing my 13 miles tomorrow morning, thank you. Another seven would do me in. You are in much better shape than I am if you do 20 on the weekends. Maybe one day I'll be in better condition and I'll challenge you to a race ?

Sleepyman, when you say passive humidity, do you mean having the hose connected but you don't turn on the switch to warm the water or just the natural moisture in the air?

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies and input. RG, I'm glad to hear you don't believe it's detrimental NOT to use the hh. I was starting to feel guilty when I'd shut it down because it would make me feel too warm or, like you said, more congested. Just not the thing for me.

Maybe as Chrisp said, when there is snow on the ground this winter, and the hot/humid Long Island summer starts to fade, I'll want the extra warmth I feel when I use it.

And, Neversleeps, you are the never-ending researcher on this site with your links to just about every topic. Where do you find all this stuff??? Thanks. I will definitely check it out after I write this. It's appreciated.

I do have one more question unrelated, so I am going to post a new thread about it, has to do with pressure and what to do. It seems the longer I'm on therapy and the more I THINK I know, the more questions I end up having. Sorry, guys, but you haven't given me the last of your advice yet...don't know if I'll ever give you the chance to stop.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:56 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote:...It seems the longer I'm on therapy and the more I THINK I know, the more questions I end up having.

I am experiencing exactly the same phenomenon. I'm hoping its a good thing as opposed to some sort of mental deficiency.... But at least when I do ask questions, I only ask them once. That's a good sign, isn't it?

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:57 pm

That's a good sign, isn't it?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:00 pm

I love you, Neversleeps. You are the most comical person on this site. I always get such a kick out of your sense of humour. Thank you for being such a riot.

And, yes, I hope and really think it's not a sign of a mental defiency, but rather an indication of the more we learn, the more advanced and in depth our thinking becomes, which opens the door to a whole new realm of questions (buying that one???). Sounds good, though, doesn't it?

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:35 pm

Although we have high humidity here in the Tampa Bay FL area, overnight my air conditioner is set for 75F which cycles it often enough at this time of year to keep the humidity quite low in the house.

Last night I had the humidifer set too low (left over from my business trip) and woke up this morning with my throat raw and my uvula swollen.

Yes, if I set the h/h too high I feel like I"m in a sauna, or at least a Florida swamp. Just a notch higher and I get rainout.

With the correct setting I get air that keeps me comfortable all night and leaves me feeling healthy the next day.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:42 pm

Excellent reply rested gal!!!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:19 pm

Seagull,

When aren't Rested Gal's replies excellent? I'm always happy to see when she's replied to one of my posts because I know the type of reply I'm getting is going to be worth the read. A most valuable member of this forum. We're lucky to have her.