Humidifier

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
mj6gte
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:56 pm

Humidifier

Post by mj6gte » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:20 pm

New to this and again, good stuff here. I have a choice on my Remstar machine for humidity....0-5. Is there a "typical" setting that most use? Benefits to high vs. no humidity? I can't decide whether my nose likes humidity or not. Been fighting a head cold, so I can't tell which is better.

Mike

User avatar
Moogy
Posts: 434
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:32 pm
Location: a ranch in west Texas

Post by Moogy » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:29 pm

Start with a setting of 3, then you can go up or down as needed. Most traumatized noses LIKE humidity, although of course your nose may vary.

Moogy
Moogy
started bipap therapy 3/8/2006
pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5

User avatar
Goofproof
Posts: 16087
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:16 pm
Location: Central Indiana, USA

Post by Goofproof » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:31 pm

I like it off cold, but when congested to bad to breath, I turn it to 1. Some like it HOT, it's a matter of comfort. the higher you set it in a cold room, the higher chance of rainout. The flow rate of the mask affects rainout. Jim

Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

User avatar
Offerocker
Posts: 1109
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:08 pm
Location: ...I forget...

Post by Offerocker » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:39 pm

HI, Mike!

This is a good place, eh?

I can relate, because I recently had a cold, followed immediately by my first sinus infection.

After your nasal congestion settles down and you're able to breathe:


Everyone has his/her own perferences....so....

I'd recommend that you start out with distilled water in your humidifier, but don't use any heat, and see how you feel with that. That's known as "passover humidification", as the air passes over the water.

If you feel that you're getting either cold air, or a stuffy nose, then I'd turn on the heat, with a low level of '1', then see how you feel with that setting, then continue in same manner, if necessary.

Several things to consier about humidifiers and comfort, but by no means a complete list:
It's best to keep your humidifier (especially if heat is on) LOWER than your head. You'll know that you may need to do this if you begin getting droplets of water in your mask - pretty good clue, eh? At that point, if you've already lowered your humidifier, then maybe a cover for your hose would help - anything handy may help you decide whether or not you want to either make/have made/purchase either a fleece cover, or what's called an "Aussie" hose, which warms the air as it passes through it. Those could also be covered, to keep them clean, as they have wiring around them.

You could try keeping your hose under the covers as much as possible also.

Have you clicked on the yellow lightbulb near the top of the page? There's lots of info there.
You can also do a search (very top of page/option) on humidifier/s.

Start out with these, and post again if you have questions or problems.

Take care,


_________________
Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand
Additional Comments: Comfort Sleeve
Respironics Auto C-Flex, HC-150, Activa, CL2 Simple Cushion, ComfortSleeve, Saline Snorter.

User avatar
tomjax
Posts: 1093
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:20 am
Contact:

humidifiers

Post by tomjax » Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:25 pm

I am convinced that a HH is beneficial for many people.
I am not convinced it is necessary for ALL people.

I live at sea level in Jax, FL and the humidity is probably higher than most here.

I used a passover Humidifier in the beginning, but being a tad lazy, I stopped using it and have not used anything the past 10+ years.

I do not know for sure if I would benefit from one, but see no reason to try.
Guess this is as much of a non answer that I can muster,.

tomjax