Is a humidifier necessary?

quan72 · Post by **quan72** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:48 pm

I'm about to buy my a CPAP machine. Trying to figure out which product to buy with what features...

communilink · Post by **communilink** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:49 pm

Remstar M Series with Humidifier. IT is very necessary. I guess it depends where you are in some ways, but in Colorado, with the low natural humidity, it is necessary.

quan72 · Post by **quan72** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:55 pm

But... why is it necessary?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:58 pm

Buying at the same time as the XPAP makes it a little cheaper

Mine came with mine for $709, but if you have to have Braggings rights, they cost extra. Jim

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:14 pm

Most hoseheads buy a humidifier. Part of the year they might not "heat" it and use it as a passover. And part of the year, they might welcome the heated humidity it produces.

Why? Because once you have rushing air going down your throat or up your nose, the breathing passages dry out. Then you get a sore or very dry mouth, throat, and maybe bloody noses.

Go to cpap.com for some very good package deals which include a carrying case, hose, and heated humidifiers (and obviously a xpap). Many of us here use the Remstar Auto with cflex (old version if you want to save about $150.00 over the new version).

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:20 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Why? Because once you have rushing air going down your throat or up your nose, the breathing passages dry out. Then you get a sore or very dry mouth, throat, and maybe bloody noses.

Plus if you have any congestion because of allergies etc it helps with that as well. Unless you live in a very moderate coastal area the first heating season and the resultant sahara mouth that hurts like heck will convince you of the value of a heated humidifier.

David

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:33 pm

As was stated before, cpap air really REALLY dries out the nasal passages/mouth/throat....it can be quite painful. Need for humidification will vary with your climate and time of year. I would suggest getting one. You can always turn the heating off and use it as a passover, or detatch it completelyand not use it all in very humid weather. Having one gives you the option of using humidification or not. I know RestedGal suggests a separate (i.e. non-integrated) unit so that if you change cpaps at a later date, you can still use the humidifier with the new unit. A good approach, but it does mean that you will have a second unit to find an outlet for. Many integrated humidifier/cpap units use the same power cord (but not all do....check carefully if this is an issue for you).

Good luck!

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inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:39 pm

Believe Linda3032!
After 3 days of cpap use without a humidifier, I suffered from sore throat, cracked lips and bloody nasal discharge!
The very first night with a humidifier, I had relief!
I have not slept a night without it since then , almost 2 years ago!

puffing billy · Post by **puffing billy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:48 pm

A further point is the humidifier can quieten the noise down. particularly on the PB420e.

Billy

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4