Confused

[brinho]

What kind of cpap is most appropiate to use for someone with nasal congestion on with A-flex of C-flex?

[BlackSpinner]

What kind of cpap is most appropiate to use for someone with nasal congestion on with A-flex of C-flex?

The cpap machine is irrelevant (as long as it is data capable) - the mask is the thing. You need a full face mask. Any mask can be used by any machine.

[archangle]

The cpap machine is irrelevant (as long as it is data capable) - the mask is the thing. You need a full face mask. Any mask can be used by any machine.

Or an oral mask, but full face mask is more common, and probably easier for most users.

[robysue]

What kind of cpap is most appropiate to use for someone with nasal congestion on with A-flex of C-flex?

In addition to considering a FFM or an oral mask, do not neglect tackling the problem from the other end as well: If you can get ahead of the nasal congestion---and I mean really and truly start treating it effectively with multiple approaches if necessary, then you may very well find that you can continue using your Swift FX mask without any problems. The trick is to do everything in your power to reduce the nasal congestion as far as possible. OTC things to try include daily use of saline nasal sprays; daily use of a neti pot or a sinus rinse bottle; NasalCrom nasal spray; OTC antihistamines such as Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec; avoiding allergens that trigger the congestion; and tweaking the CPAP's humidifier. Also consider asking your PCP about whether a nasal steroid spray, such as Flonase, might be help. If your allergies are severe, consider consulting with an allergist for an appropriate way to treat the problem.

Two really super on-line places to start learning about nasal hygiene and CPAP-use are the following links that are on two well known sleep doctors' web pages:

• Nasal Breathing Video Series is from Dr. Barry Krakow's web pages
• Unstuff Your Stuffy Nose is from Dr. Steven Y. Park's web pages. Dr. Park is a forum member who posts under the name sypark

[Otter]

What kind of cpap is most appropiate to use for someone with nasal congestion on with A-flex of C-flex?

Blackspinner is right, the mask is the main thing. But after that, (properly adjusted) APAP will be better than CPAP if your nasal congestion isn't the same very night. If it's from allergies, for instance, the APAP machine will use a lower pressure most of the time, but will adjust automatically when you've had a heavy dose of your allergy triggers. Breathing filtered, pressurized, and humidified air may clear your nose after an hour or so, and the APAP will then reduce the pressure if you don't need it anymore. Lower pressure means lower leaks and usually less disturbance of your sleep.

With straight CPAP, you'd have to either adjust it yourself every night or pick a pressure high enough to work when you're really clogged up and put up with it the rest of the time.

OTOH, some people find the changes in pressure to be more disturbing than a constant high pressure. The only way to find out is to try both yourself.

I'm not sure what you're asking about A-flex and C-flex. Both are exhalation relief. A-flex would be the one you'd use with your PR1 in auto mode, C-flex and C-flex plus go with straight CPAP mode.