Tell tale signs of Mouth Breathing?

[MiggsEye]

Newbie user, first time poster here...

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been using my adjustable CPAP for a week now. Feel some more energy in the morning than pre-CPAP, and feeling generally less resentful that I have to get up in the morning. I feel like I can make it through the day without a nap, which is a big improvement I suppose. Although I'm a bit bummed that I haven't yet had (with my home unit) that incredible nights sleep like how I did in the sleep lab. During the sleep study, the technician indicated that I didn't appear to be a mouth breather and therefore fitted me with a nasal mask that I took home. With my unit I was fitted with the nasal pillows. I've been using both, but wondering if I may be breathing through my mouth a bit during the night, and therefore rendering the CPAP ineffective. So I'm wondering if there are any telltale signs of mouth breathing? Since I sleep alone right now, I have no one that can observe me to tell me if I'm mouth breathing. Are there signs to look for that I can figure this out myself?

[bayourest]

I think one main sign is that your mouth is completely dried out in the morning...another might be a sore throat along with your dry mouth.
You could try taping your mouth and see if that makes any difference in how you feel or how your mouth feels...search for mouth taping threads and you'll find a lot of helpful info.

[DennisG]

Welcome, glad to hear you are having some success already. Some people don't feel the results so quickly.

Now that you have joined the board, please go to the User Control panel above and select the text version of your equipment as it will help thew other members in answering your questions.

For me it is not so much being a "mouth breather" as it is the pressure escaping from my mouth while I am sleeping. I can usually tell when this is happening because I wake up with a dried-out mouth feeling like it is full of cotton balls. Some people wakeup to find their lips are making noise from the escaping air that is sometimes called "motor boating".

If you have a data capable machine, you will be able to use software to see your leak rate that will also help identify the problem.

I am sure that a lot of us have experienced similar problems and will provide you with helpful suggestions.

Good luck,
Dennis

[MiggsEye]

Wow! I'm blown away by the response and support here. 2 good replies in less than 20 minutes. Thank you. Looking forward to participating in this forum.

I must say that overall I'm very excited about my CPAP. During the sleep study, I took to it very well once the tech fitted me with the right mask. She told me in the morning that I was in REM sleep at one point for 1-1/2 continuously, calling it REM rebound. I thought she was making the term up to describe it figuratively... but I've since found that REM Rebound is a real phenomenon. The day after my sleep study was amazing to say the least, with a consistent, clear wealth of energy. Not manic, just constant. No fog. And I accomplished so much that next day.

I guess I was just expecting the same when I got my home unit. But I see by reading various posts that many people have to adjust to find the right setup. Hopefully it won't take me too long. In the meantime, I'll continue to trouble shoot, read and participate in this forum and hope for the best.

[archangle]

Take a 3 inch Ace bandage (non-sticky type) or some gauze. Wrap it around your head, covering your mouth with just one turn of material. Make it just tight enough to not fall off. Be sure to use the humidifier. If you are exhaling through your mouth, the bandage will be wet when you wake up. (Although it could be drool, too. ) Other thin cloth could work too, for instance, pulling a T shirt over your head, leaving the collar over your mouth without putting your arms or torso into the T shirt.

[roadkingrick]

call your doctor or go on line and get a chin strap, it holds your mouth shut while you sleep. I have that problem and if I wear a chin strap my sleep is much better and my mouth is not so dried out, there is also a moisterizing mouth washes out there. If your nasal passages get dry or irritated turn up your humidifier untill that goes away. good luck with your new toy, itll be your best friend when you get used to it.

[tomwarren]

Treatment for mouth breathing are available and can be beneficial, especially if the condition is caught early. If the tonsils are enlarged patient may be referred for ENT consultation. If the face and mouth is narrow dentist can use expansion devices to extend the sinuses and nasal passages open.

[archangle]

I don't think chinstraps are necessarily a cure. Even if your teeth are together, your lips could still allow air to escape.

[nanwilson]

Use a full face mask. Your equipment supplier (DME) should allow you to try different masks during a 30 day trial, the manufacturer supplies them to the DME for this specific purpose. BUT, if you are a mouth breather why tape up, chin straps rarely work.....use a full face mask. I have 3, an Innomed Hybrid, a Resmed Ultra Mirage and a Resmed Quattro. Go to cpap.com and look at all the choices there are and do read all of the reccommendations by users. Then go to your dme and try whatever you feel would work best for you....remember you have 30 days to TRY masks. My hybrid is a combination of nose pillows and a mouth cover, I love it.
Good luck
Cheers
Nan

[haritagepoint]

I think a main sign is that the mouth is completely dry in the morning ... another can be a sore throat with dry mouth.

You could try taping your mouth and see if it makes any difference in how you feel or how your mouth feels ... search for the mouth, recording the thread and you will find many useful information.