Humidifier .. or not ?

[icetlv]

Hi

What should be the motivation to use a humidifier ?

I have never used one, will I feel any better with one ?

Thanks

[khauser]

Comfort.

Since you live in Florida, the relative humidity is pretty high on its own ... it's possible and even likely that adding humidity wouldn't do you a bunch of good. But if your nasal mucosa feel dried out after a night of CPAP therapy it might be worth looking in to.

[LSAT]

It's simply a comfort issue...if you wake up with a dry mouth...crank up the humidifier.

[GayleM]

I live near the Gulf Coast in Texas, very humid here. The few times I've either not used the humidifier or forgot to put water in it, I woke up with extremely dry nose.

[StuUnderPressure]

Here is a Respironics webinar on why a humidifier is needed - and a heated humidifier to boot. https://knowhow.webex.com/ec0606l/event ... dingURL.do

You do have to provide some information to access it, but the information you provided can be made up.

It is 40 minutes long, but it is pretty good.
If you do not want to spend the 40 minutes, start at 30 minutes to see some statistics.

[cpapanon]

If you live near the beach...probably don't need one.

If you live near the desert and wonder why you wake up with a roaring sinus headache somedays.. you DO need one. Might just solve the headache problem. If not, you have other issues.

I know from personal experience.

[caffeinatedcfo]

People generally use it for comfort. You might be able to rent one for a month from your DME just to try it.

If you don't suffer from dry mouth or nose, it may not be of any benefit for you.

[patrick_a]

imho, avoid them at all cost if possible. Then again, if being water-boarded by an alien attached to your face might appeal to you

Currently using a q-tip with vasoline or saline gel when need be.

[tooter]

imho, avoid them at all cost if possible. Then again, if being water-boarded by an alien attached to your face might appeal to you

Currently using a q-tip with vasoline or saline gel when need be.

If using Vaseline avoid contact with the mask silicone......

[Pugsy]

I have never heard of rain out being compared to water boarding someone but I guess it could seem that way if the conditions are right.

I live in SW Missouri. Not a typical arid environment at all. If my humidifier crapped out I would be in a world of hurt because I have try very low settings on my humidifier (also ran out of water because some dumb ass forgot to fill the tank) and it caused disastrous results to my nasal mucosa.

Humidity needs...well they vary with the individual and it doesn't matter where you live. There are people living in the high desert not using a humidifier at all and very happy...there are people living on the coast near the ocean that need the added humidity. Everyone needs to figure out what makes their nasal mucosa the happiest and that's what they should do.

Rain out and water boarding....well, rain out is manageable. There are ways to reduce that annoying little happening.
Been there and done that myself. Going without a humidifier was not ever an option for me but it might be for others.

The nasal mucosa are funny little things. If they tend to get dried out they swell up in an effort to retain the moisture they need....they also swell up if they get too much moisture. It makes no sense but that is the way they do things.
The swelling up is very similar to an allergic response to something and the symptoms can mimic a really bad allergy attack.
Congestion, drainage, sneezing, sinus pressure, etc.

Humidity preference or needs is really an individual preference/need. This is something each person has to sort out themselves and can't really rely on someone else...even their neighbor next door.

[caffeinatedcfo]

I love the humidified air - it has resolved my nasal passages closing off during sleep and I actually benefit all day long.

[patrick_a]

I should disclose that I'll most likely purchase one after summer. I like to sleep in a cold room (upper 40s to mid 50s), which is not going to fly with my current mask.

PR has, imo, the best solution, but is still blows. Would be nice if someone used a small insulated aux tube to deliver the heated moist air into the main tube just before the mask.