Stupid question? Humidifiers and lung issues.

[JV1967]

Can too much humidity in the hose cause lung issues like Pneumonia? I'm so new to all of this.

[SleepDisturbed]

No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!

[LSAT]

No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!

You shouldn't make comments like this.....? There are some people that will want to try it.

[JV1967]

No stupid questions.

Pneumonia is usually an infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and sometimes by breathing some chemical fumes.

When we are using our cpap machines we are just breathing normal room air. Our immune systems do a pretty good job of protecting us and I don't think that will be changed by cpap. I guess it would be possible to neglect the cleaning of your cpap gear badly enough to allow prodigious amounts of fungi to grow in the hose, thus maybe overloading your immune system, but I have never read a documented case of it ( may have happened, but have never heard of it!).

Just make sure that the inside of your machine does not look like the inside of my fridge and you will probably be ok!

Thank you. I will try my best to keep the machine and accessories clean, and by the way, you made me giggle.

My ResMed Air Curve 10 ASV is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I just went out and purchased a table for it.

[Janknitz]

When you get your machine, you may find you have to experiment some with your humidifier to find the right setting. Too much OR too little humidity may cause sinus (not lung!) congestion. That is usually annoying, but not a problem unless you don't adjust your humidifier to find a setting that works for YOU and long term sinus congestion has side effects.

Some DME's put the fear of G-d into people if they dare adjust a setting. The humidifier is a patient comfort device, and your DME does not have to sleep with the darn thing. Adjust away until you find YOUR perfect setting.

We suggest making ONE change at a time and sleeping with it for a few nights (unless it's CLEARLY not working for you) so that you know what change made the difference.

This is going to take some good reasoning on your part, and patience. Approach it like a scientific study and you'll do fine.

[JV1967]

When you get your machine, you may find you have to experiment some with your humidifier to find the right setting. Too much OR too little humidity may cause sinus (not lung!) congestion. That is usually annoying, but not a problem unless you don't adjust your humidifier to find a setting that works for YOU and long term sinus congestion has side effects.

Some DME's put the fear of G-d into people if they dare adjust a setting. The humidifier is a patient comfort device, and your DME does not have to sleep with the darn thing. Adjust away until you find YOUR perfect setting.

We suggest making ONE change at a time and sleeping with it for a few nights (unless it's CLEARLY not working for you) so that you know what change made the difference.

This is going to take some good reasoning on your part, and patience. Approach it like a scientific study and you'll do fine.

Thank you for the advice. Will do.

[BlackSpinner]

For a lot of us with breathing issues so that cpap machine and humidifier is a blessing in disguise! Humidity and sinuses and bronchial issues go together - mine LOVES the added warm humid and filtered air. My asthma has decreased and my allergies are under better control. Colds and flues are easier to endure at night.

Remember all xpap therapy does is use enough pressure to keep your throat open, it doesn't inflate your lungs, in fact you can't blow up a balloon with it at max pressure. Plus the air that goes into your lungs is the same amount of air that you would be breathing in without the machine. You may feel some soreness in your chest the first week because your chest wall and diaphragm MUSCLES have to work harder breathing out again the pressure. Just like your leg muscles would feel sore after you decided to walk up to the 6th (or 10th) floor for the first few times.

[JV1967]

For a lot of us with breathing issues so that cpap machine and humidifier is a blessing in disguise! Humidity and sinuses and bronchial issues go together - mine LOVES the added warm humid and filtered air. My asthma has decreased and my allergies are under better control. Colds and flues are easier to endure at night.

Remember all xpap therapy does is use enough pressure to keep your throat open, it doesn't inflate your lungs, in fact you can't blow up a balloon with it at max pressure. Plus the air that goes into your lungs is the same amount of air that you would be breathing in without the machine. You may feel some soreness in your chest the first week because your chest wall and diaphragm MUSCLES have to work harder breathing out again the pressure. Just like your leg muscles would feel sore after you decided to walk up to the 6th (or 10th) floor for the first few times.

I'm on a ResMed Aircurve 10, ASV Bilevel setting; for onset centrals and mild to moderate OSA. The DME guy just called me 10 mins ago. He's on the way to the house now. The poor guy asked me not to "hate him," because it's not his fault. I suspect several have abused him. I told him I'm not the hating type, and I won't be mean to him.

[BlackSpinner]

I was surprised how a change from 7 cm to 9 cm was a work out for my chest muscles when my doctor upped my pressure after titration. Even with a Bilevel you may feel a bit sore after the first night. For some people it feels as if they are having problems breathing the next day but all it is is protesting muscles.