rionoirble wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2019 2:52 pm
Midwest_non_sleeper wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2019 2:12 pm
The points made regarding infection
may be plausible if we continuously breathed the same air that we exhale, but we don't, because that Co2 laden air is expelled through the exhaust ports on the mask and when we take a breath, we're breathing in 02 laden air straight from the machine...which didn't come from our mouth.
Actually inhaled and exhaled air is mostly nitrogen, and there's more O2 in exhaled air than CO2... but what do I know about science I've only been using CPAP three days right lol. Anyway the colonization of bacteria has nothing to do with the composition of the air you're breathing... my point was more about the fact that your mask is touching your hands, your face, you are coughing into it... eventually some bacteria will get on it and if you don't clean it regularly that bacteria will colonize and can potentially pose a threat if inhaled. Since most of you seem to use nasal pillows or something similar, I'd be a lot less concerned with those, but the FFM has a lot of real estate for bacteria to hide if someone isn't being meticulous with their cleaning efforts. I don't see why that apparently sounds like a crazy thing to say - that's just how bacteria works.
Fair point. I am indeed not a scientist, so I will take that information at face value. But what you mention brings up a good point: It demonstrates exactly why I make it a point to clean my equipment manually on a set schedule. I alone am responsible for my therapy, as many medical professionals, as easily demonstrated by perusing these very forums, do not know what is best for each individual person. That's why it is incumbent upon each of us to 1) learn as much as we can about our equipment, the process, best practices, etc; and 2) to implement those best practices, including regular cleaning to at least mitigate the chance of an infection. But, after reading those previously linked studies, and the fact that I'm very methodical in my cleaning, I am less than concerned about developing an infection from XPAP use. The benefits, in my meager experience, far outweigh the chance of infection. It could be argued that is anecdotal and subjective, but in terms of
MY therapy, I don't necessarily need it to be objective for it to be a success.
I also don't necessarily care if someone decides to drop $300 on a machine that claims to clean their equipment. As far as I'm concerned, it's not my concern and is their issue to deal with. If they have that kind of disposable income and are inclined to purchase it because they saw a fear-mongering commercial on TV at 3AM about the dangers of a dirty mask, great. I, however, do not, so I will continue to use soap and warm water, some light scrubbing, and a monthly water/white vinegar bath in order to insure cleanliness. What is my concern though, is making sure that all available information and opinions receive equal scrutiny, because the best way to resolve differences of opinion, at least in my experience, is through open and honest dialogue, which is by far what we see here. Some of it may be brash, rash, rushed, condescending, or downright dirty, but it is still open dialogue and deserves to be regarded with an attentive eye.
Jim
