dry sore throat?

Howdy all,

I'm about a month into my cpap therapy and am working on the humidity / mask leak issues to eliminate my dry mouth and throat. Things are improving on both fronts - I've gone from an AHI of 42 in the sleep study to an average around 2, for example. But not where I'm hoping to be.

The past 4-5 days my throat has been sore. Sore as in the way it would felt after a night of open-mouth snoring pre-cpap. There hasn't been any obvious inflammation or redness or "feeling like I'm getting sick." Last night it kinda felt like a cold was coming on, but not so much today.

I assume constant dryness isn't good for one's esophagus or anything else. If it stays dry it'll get irritated and something infectious will set up shop, I'm sure.

I don't have a sleep doc. The PCP ordered the sleep study and it was performed at a local hospital sleep lab. The study was then sent off for reading and interpretation since they don't have an in-house sleep doc. The PCP suggests I talk to the sleep lab. The sleep techs tell me "mask leak and humidity" ...

So.

My bladder is swimming from all the water I'm drinking; ideas on what I can do about this dry and sore throat as I continue to work on getting rid of the leaks and finding a working humidity level?

Thanks so much!
Jim

Sounds as if you are breathing through your mouth a lot at night.

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Without adequate humidity, not only will uncomfortable things happen your airway, but tooth decay will be increased.

If you are using a full face mask, then you might try a soft cervical collar that will support your jaw as your facial muscles relax with sleep. If you get one, make sure it is really soft so it will be comfortable. The ones intended to support your cervical spine are way too stiff.