Is CPAP a risk for upper resp "infections"

[liv2kite]

Are CPAP users at higher risk for upper respiratory tract problems (due to use of CPAP). does cleaning the hoses and masks really matter that much in this regard. (I seem to have a sore throat, cough, sinus fullness .... and I am really bad about cleaning my gear).

Thanks,

[ofarchesandants]

Being brand new to CPAP, i was curious about that too as i got a Upper Respiratory Infection my first week on a nasal mask. the nasal mask by the way is my first mask of any kind, but that experience and my chronic sinusitis has gotten to try other masks. Was it coincidence or does forcing the air and whatever comes with it up your nose increase risk of infection or irritation.
gregg )

[jnk]

When you first start on xPAP, it takes a little while for your respiratory system to adjust to it, even if you use humidification properly. An infection in the first few weeks is not uncommon. If the infection is especially bad, you may even need to spend a night or two without using the machine.

In my opinion, it is particularly important to keep everything very clean during the first few months, since your body is preoccupied with adjusting to the air and your defenses are down. Even after that, keeping your mask and hose clean is important because the mask and hose become, in a sense, an extension of your respiratory system.

[alnhwrd]

IMHO, CPAP threapy does not make you more vulnerable to infections. It can dry out the airways. My personal experiance has been that I have had zero colds and almost no problems with allergies since starting CPAP. I can't state scientifically that this is because of CPAP, but with a year's worth of use it seems worth considering. I think that breathing clean, filtered air 6-8 hours a night is beneficial to the lungs and airways. Yes, like others I had problems with mild congestion and stuffiness at first, but I don't now. And, I have often gone to bed a little snotty and stuffy and woken up completely clear. If you are prone to infections before starting CPAP, I don't think it treats that, its not what it is designed to do, so you should be careful and do what you did before CPAP to keep from getting them. But in my completely unprofessional non-medically trained opinion I don't think it causes them.

Liv, if you are having those problems, it sure doesn't hurt anythingto clean your gear more regulary. But I am pretty slack about cleaning too and don't have your problems. I would also try increasing your humidity, which could resolve the sore throat and cough issue.

[jnk]

I agree with alnhwrd. Dry airways are one thing that can make you more vulnerable to infections. And wetter airways can similarly be problematic. But once your body is used to it and you get your humidity where it needs to be, you may find that allergies improve and you get fewer colds. I have found that to be the case myself.

[liv2kite]

I have a humidifier but did not like using it due to condensation in the hose and mask. I think I used it all of once or maybe twice.

[jnk]

I have a humidifier but did not like using it due to condensation in the hose and mask. I think I used it all of once or maybe twice.

Importance of humidity for some:

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/patients/im ... u=patients

Help with rainout:

viewtopic/t36083/viewtopic.php?p=310929#p310929

[allinknots]

Just for the record, I came down with a nasty sinus infection after about a week of therapy. I often have a cold that precipitates a sinus infection, but this time I didn't have a cold first--just the blocked sinuses, and then the infection. My guess is that it was due to the cpap therapy, perhaps blowing germs around and their getting lodged up in my sinuses. Who knows? The infection was treated, I'm feeling fine and still using the cpap. It will be interesting to see how I fare this first winter on cpap.

All in Knots

[boston]

My all knowing and trustworthy DME told me to clean my stuff once a week, well after about the 5th day I felt like crap, even went home early from work.
My best guess is due to not cleaning, mold spores may have been developing and I am allergic to mold. Went home from work, called my DME, he said that he tells people that because hes had people quit therapy over cleaning daily. Since I started cleaning regularly I have had NO problems, but I could see a person getting an infection from not cleaning their equipment.

[JeffH]

As a long time cpaper I've been sick less since I've been on the hose than before. I use only nasal pillows. My experience is that if you relax and let it, the air will get past congestion after a few minutes.

JeffH

[Shellie_p]

13 years of CPAP and I actually get colds LESS Often then I did before CPAP. But I also have allergies that are now under control with medication which I had not been diagnosed with before CPAP. So that could have more to do with it then the CPAP.
But I do know that I wash/change filters etc MORE durring the winter, I also frequently use the neti pot in the winter also as my sinuses can really act up going out in the cold weather. They dry out terribly and saline spray doesn't help as much as a good irrigation.

I would think if your worried about CPAP causing more colds then you should go with the fine filters and change them often. I dont even bother with a fine filter durring summer months. But I do durring winter.

[birdshell]

I used to have 6-8 sinus infections per year, despite many attempts at prevention. (I have written about those attempts previously; if you wish to know more, send me a PM.) Once I got my trusty CPAP with its marvelous heated humidification, I've had 1 sinus infection in over two and a half years.

My RT recommended daily soap-and-hot-water cleaning of the mask (except headgear) when I was first introduced to CPAP. He also said that I should clean my tank, silicone seal, top of the humidifier, hose, and mask (except headgear: that hand wash and air dry) with soap-and-hot-water, followed by a good rinse and soak for a half hour in a 1:10 water:vinegar solution. It has worked for me.


I was told by an RT/sleep tech that if sick, I should use a 1:4 water:vinegar solution daily after cleaning. I've also been told by yet another RT to use a 1:3 water:vinegar solution daily when ill. I suppose that is why we have to stay home from work if ill--it would take a long time to clean everything daily and soak for a half hour.

Karen,
Who had 10 sick days per year

[ofarchesandants]

karen i'm not sure i'm following your regime. On one hand it says what your RT told you to do daily, which seems an inordinate amount of work and on the other you say you would need to stay home if you did it daily. So please explain how often you follow that regime and or what you find it necessary to do daily.
thanks,
gregg )

[DreamStalker]

I used to get upper respiratory infections every other month prior to CPAP (either allergies, flu, or common cold).

I have not had a single respiratory infection in over 2 and a half years now ... CPAP use or regular saline sinus rinses or both, I dunno?

I do know from my own perspective, CPAP does NOT cause respiratory infections.

[kopoloff]

I'm a new user, just a monh, but my experience has been interesting. In australia it is now spring, the hayfever season. normally at this timeof year i'm sneezing, rubbing itchy ears, using 3 handkerchiefs every day because of the allergies.

Since I started CPAP therapy my nose has cleared up, the itchy ears and eyes are not far away from their normal (winter) state, and Ive used no pharmaceuticals.

Is it coincidence - not sure, but I like it!!

k