Will a CPAP machine help me if my nose is blocked?

[yalag]

I just visited my DME yesterday and got sold a resmed S9 elite machine with a full face mask. I explained to them that my nose is constantly blocked all year around (well not quite literally but it's difficult to breath through it so I use my mouth 24/7). They said it doesn't matter, the CPAP machine will still help the airway. Are they right? Obviously I'm skeptical because they are selling me something. Any ideas?

[BlackSpinner]

Breathing is breathing whether you do it through your mouth or nose or both (If neither you wouldn't be posting here)
The reason they have full face mask is for those of us with nasal issues.

I found that by using the cpap and full face mask I have less nasal problems now. Probably breathing filtered warm humid air for 7-8 hours helps a lot, especially in the winter.

[~Q~]

CPAP is basically a machine to pressurize your airway to keep it open and free of air obstruction while you sleep. This pressure doesn't have to come only by way of your nose -- it can also come through your mouth. There are a wide variety of masks available that can be used to address various needs. You should really talk to your Dr and DME about your concerns and what masks might work best for you.

With that being said, many of us had clogged up sinuses prior to getting on CPAP. Once on CPAP with humidification, I found that my sinuses opened right up and I am clear all the time now. You might be surprised how well CPAP opens you up.

Q

[TangledHose]

Breathing is breathing whether you do it through your mouth or nose or both (If neither you wouldn't be posting here)
The reason they have full face mask is for those of us with nasal issues.

I found that by using the cpap and full face mask I have less nasal problems now. Probably breathing filtered warm humid air for 7-8 hours helps a lot, especially in the winter.

I couldn't agree more! I have always had difficulty breathing through my right nostril for some sinus related reason - - now after using my CPAP every night for eight hours with the humidifier and heated hose my troublesome right nostril is as clear as it can be - - it's a terrific side effect of humidified PAP therapy

P.S. I am using a Mirage Quattro full face mask due to the fact that I am predominately a mouth breather - - I was at the dentist the other day and they mentioned I had far less plaque so I explained that I was using CPAP with a full face mask and it tended to improve my ability to breath through my nose at night. It turns out that night time mouth breathers create a much better environment for plaque bacteria, so now that I am able to mostly nose breath at night when I am asleep the little critters don't like my mouth so much anymore! And I don't want anyone to say: "Hey Tangledhose - try brushing and flossing" - - I always brush and floss

[avi123]

yalag, there is a Yalag St. in Haifa, Israel, actually it's Y. L. Gordon St., but pronounced Yalag St. see it here:


https://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_rn=8&g ... 60&bih=506)

about your post, it all depends on what is your usual mode of breathing, is it thru the nose or the mouth? Either case could be dealt with masks but the issue is how to minimize the LEAK. About cleansing the nose prior to CPAPing (as I do) read this:

(From Dr Barry Krakow's book)

[Triadz]

...

With that being said, many of us had clogged up sinuses prior to getting on CPAP. Once on CPAP with humidification, I found that my sinuses opened right up and I am clear all the time now. You might be surprised how well CPAP opens you up.

Q

+ 1

[Muse-Inc]

Return the CPAP and get an APAP (auto-titrating CPAP) that adjusts pressure (based on your last 5 breaths) to ensure your airways stay open. I have chronic sinusitis and frequently get completely congested during sleep, so I wear the RespCare (Innomed) Universal Hybrid mask that has pillows and covers the mouth so when I am blocked nasally, I can easily breathe through my mouth. Out host sells it for $120 or so; the last time I had it billed to insurance it was like $750. I have severe OSA and now using an S9 APAP average 0.1 AHI.

I use Ocean nasal rinse in a can when I wake up congested and for my worst times the Grossan Nasal Irrigator (sort of like a WaterZPik for the nose *G*). I also use the Spry Nasal spray and chew their gum -- over time I've found these Xylitol-based products really make a difference for me. I used to use nasal steroids but their association with cataracts puts me off using them now.

[cosmo]

I probably wouldn't breathe through my nose at night if it weren't for cpap + nasal pillows. 1 side is always congested and nasal pillows shoot air in and out of the free one.

[JohnO]

Once on CPAP with humidification, I found that my sinuses opened right up and I am clear all the time now.

Me too!

[Not Fade]

I explained to them that my nose is constantly blocked all year around (well not quite literally but it's difficult to breath through it so I use my mouth 24/7).

For goodness sake, rush to an ENT and have him look in there with one of those good scopes.

Whether you use CPAP or not, mouthbreathing is a very unhealthy practice. Plenty of different things ENTs can do to help.

Find out what is wrong!

[Sheriff Buford]

Mouth breathing is NORMAL, though lots of folks can successfully breath thru their nose. These folks can use a nasal or pillow mask. When using nasal or pillow masks, you MUST keep your mouth closed or you will lose therapy. The nasal and pillow mask users will need aids such as chinstraps to keep their mouth closed at night. If you are a mouth breather... you are ok and you need a hybrid mask, full face or total mask. These masks will allow you too mouth breath and not lose therapy.

Sheriff

[Denial Dave]

I've got a slightly deviated septum and can now breathe through my nose nicely while on CPAP.... every so often, I get a crazy thought about trying nasal masks.

And then the sinus blockage returns, I end up back to mouth breathing.

I'm very thankful for Full Face Masks..

[Not Fade]

Mouth breathing is NORMAL,

Sheriff

Sheriff, How do you mean that?

Mouth breathing is universally recognized as unhealthy and not normal - http://www.google.com/search?client=ope ... el=suggest

However, if you have no other option ...

[Sir NoddinOff]

I probably wouldn't breathe through my nose at night if it weren't for cpap + nasal pillows. 1 side is always congested and nasal pillows shoot air in and out of the free one.

+1

My stuffy sinuses were driving me crazy when I used standard masks but with my Swift FX nasal pillows I find they shoot the air right where it does the most good.

[caprica]

try some nasonex. the CPAP machine will help push it into your sinuses. in time, you will find they improve as the inflammation subsides and you don't need the nasonex as frequently.