Humidifier and driving license question

[Shadowatcher]

I read somewhere that a humidifier helps in keeping mouth shut. What has been the experience with this sort of thing.

I also read here in one of the posts that if the patient is non-compliant that the driving license can be lifted in some states???

Boy, there is a lot more to this hose head stuff than originally meets the eye (or should I say nose).

[bdp522]

HH helps keep mouth shut...Not true (at least not in my case)


Liftin Drivers license....True


More than meets the eye...True


Brenda

[lvwildcat]

Yes,I heard about some states suspending driver licenses. My question is who would be responsible for turning non-compliant patients into DMV? The DMEs? Mine has never once asked to see my machine for # of nights or hours that I've used it. Does anyone else know how non-compliance would get reported?

[BigGuyXXL]

Hi there –

The humidifier never helped me keep my mouth shut – actually, can’t think of anything that has while asleep or otherwise . I had to go to a full face mask.

Not sure about the driver’s license. I would be interested in knowing how that all works out. No one has ever checked my compliance card since I got it.

Good Luck –

Derek

[Julie]

I think there's a mix-up - people who mouth breath (unknowingly) wake up with a dry mouth and others suggest using a humidifier to fix it, but if the mouth breathing is dealt with (either by using tape, or a FF mask) then there is no need for a humidifier just for that purpose, though many, if not most do use it to keep nasal passages from drying out while using Cpap.

[Garyw]

I think more of what was talked about here is that in order to get a CDL, comercial drivers license, the new requirements for a physical prior to issuance or renewal requires the certified medical examiner to do a number of checks. BMI, Body mass index (has to be less than 35), Neck circumfrance ( has to be less than 17" men 16" women), and also Hypertension. If any one of these 3 items shows the the clinician has to by the guidlines refer the individual to a sleep Dr. Only after the sleep Dr either finds no OSA or provides documentation that it has been controlled by CPAP treatment and forwards that back to the DR, APRN etc performing the physical, only then can they be issued an initial or renewed CDL.

Gary.

[Shadowatcher]

I found this on the CPAP.Com web site.

Why is air leaking from my mouth?

Air leaks from the mouth whenever the mouth is opened during CPAP therapy. This occurs for many reasons, but a very common one is due to nasal irritation from the CPAP airflow.

The correlation to a lack of humidification and mouth leaks is a topic being heavily researched. Studies are now being conducted on the hypothesis that a large amount of mouth leakage is caused by the following cycle:

1. CPAP therapy is used with ineffective or no humidification.
2. The nasal membranes are unable to adequately condition the increased airflow and after a few minutes the airway and nasal passages become dry.
3. To remedy the dryness and obtain moisture, the body uses the mouth to breathe.
4. CPAP air follows the path of least resistance and leaks out of the open mouth.
5. The air leaking through the mouth causes more dryness.
6. Patient wakes up feeling tired with significant dryness in mouth and dry, swollen nasal passages.


The answer to this cycle is humidification. If the mouth continues to open during sleep, a chinstrap may be needed to hold the jaw up so that the mouth can close. If mouth breathing continues, a full face mask that covers the nose and mouth is indicated.

[Vasily]

There are states where an individuals drivers license is suspended until they prove they are compliant with CPAP. How this compliance is verified varies from state to state, as wel as the suspensions. In the states that do suspend license, most of the time there is a law on the books that REQUIRES your Dr. to report your diagnosis of OSA to the state DMV.

I know that Dr. must by law report to the state of Maryland anyone that they diagnos with a Sleep Disorder. What measures the state takes after the Dr. reports this, I do not know. I do know though, that the Dr. is not required to report compliance to the state, the state considers this the patients responsibility. You would have to contact your state DMV to determine how you would go about proving your compliance.