mouth breathers with nasal masks

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
minniesc
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Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:38 pm

Re: mouth breathers with nasal masks

Post by minniesc » Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:13 am

I don't think cpap will stop me from breathing through my mouth. I, like others who posted here, have a small and stuffy nasal passage, narrow mouth, etc. I also have a deviated septum. All of this affects the way I breathe normally.
Sharon

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SleepingUgly
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Re: mouth breathers with nasal masks

Post by SleepingUgly » Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:28 am

I treat my allergies with nasal sprays and I had septoplasty and turbinate reduction. I'm now getting allergy shots (again--did it as a kid) along with my kids. I use Breathe Right Strips with CPAP. I breathe pretty well through my nose now, and it's a darn good thing because I couldn't find a single full face mask that worked for me and I tried tons. Also, I'm a big believer (based on some studies) that mouth opening, even in the absence of mouth breathing, can, in some people, facilitate airway collapse. I think FFMs should be a last resort. But that's just my opinion.
Never put your fate entirely in the hands of someone who cares less about it than you do. --Sleeping Ugly

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zoocrewphoto
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Re: mouth breathers with nasal masks

Post by zoocrewphoto » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:22 pm

I treat my allergies with nasal sprays and I had septoplasty and turbinate reduction. I'm now getting allergy shots (again--did it as a kid) along with my kids. I use Breathe Right Strips with CPAP. I breathe pretty well through my nose now, and it's a darn good thing because I couldn't find a single full face mask that worked for me and I tried tons. Also, I'm a big believer (based on some studies) that mouth opening, even in the absence of mouth breathing, can, in some people, facilitate airway collapse. I think FFMs should be a last resort. But that's just my opinion.
My nares are small, and they seem to take turns which one will work. So, breathing through my nose is about the same as trying to breathe through a straw for 8 hours. Not gonna happen. My mouth works, and I can get much better airflow. I got the machine to keep my airway open. I will let it do its job.

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ozze_dollar
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Re: mouth breathers with nasal masks

Post by ozze_dollar » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:25 pm

TheDuke wrote:I have used a conventional nasal mask for about 26 years, and I am a lifelong mouth breather with problems from chronic rhinitis. For the past five years I have used chin straps of several kinds. None are fully satisfactory, but the strap is my answer to mouth opening. And I have found that a high machine humidity level is a big help in keeping my breathing passages clear as I sleep.

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What setting would be appropriate to help with a blocked nose?

drog
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Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:11 pm

Re: mouth breathers with nasal masks

Post by drog » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:23 pm

I'm a mouth breather when I don't use CPAP. When I use nasal pillows, I breath through my nose.

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