Is CPAP a risk for upper resp "infections"

11 months on CPAP and hay-fever has been reduced. I have had a cold and found CPAP useful in treating stuffed nose/breathing difficulty. Just leave a clean cloth with eucalyptus oil near the intake of the CPAP machine (think about this, not so close that you block the intake, and not so much eucalyptus oil that you suffocate from the fumes). This really helps, but not so much on the worst days of the cold, but hey, colds are like that for everyone.

I have been using the Cpap mask for about 8 months, off and on. Small type of mask.
Used it for several weeks and after the first few days my nose started to run, bad. I blamed it on allergys. This continued for a month and my Dr. said it was an upper resp. infection. I went off the machine until head cleared.
Back on machine, after 2 nights nose started to run again. I took meds again, cleared up. Back on machine - same problem.
I do clean it, and dry it out, put new distilled water in it every night.
WHAT CAN I DO?
As far as mask helping - what? I felt no different when using it.
Have not had a resp. infection or cold for past 20 years,until this mask event.

@fullnose: What kind of mask are you using?
I noticed a bit of runny nose and sneezing with nasal pillows as opposed to a nasal cup style mask.
--some mask types and their flow can irritate some noses.
It is also a good idea to change the filter on the back of your machine at least once a month, or sooner if it appears soiled.
Since you mention "off and on" usage, that could also be a factor--cpap needs to be used every night.

Full Nose wrote:I have been using the Cpap mask for about 8 months, off and on. Small type of mask.
Used it for several weeks and after the first few days my nose started to run, bad. I blamed it on allergys. This continued for a month and my Dr. said it was an upper resp. infection. I went off the machine until head cleared.
Back on machine, after 2 nights nose started to run again. I took meds again, cleared up. Back on machine - same problem.
I do clean it, and dry it out, put new distilled water in it every night.
WHAT CAN I DO?
As far as mask helping - what? I felt no different when using it.
Have not had a resp. infection or cold for past 20 years,until this mask event.

Do you clean/replace your filters? Hose?
If so, you'd better investigate the environment(s) you're inhabiting during the times you're NOT on your machine.
Another option would be to get a different machine and see if the problems persist.


Den

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If you use the humidifier, and on a high setting, turn it down or off. It's only meant for comfort, not therapy in itself and it can cause problems for some people.

Julie wrote:If you use the humidifier, and on a high setting, turn it down or off. It's only meant for comfort, not therapy in itself and it can cause problems for some people.

Or if it is NOT on a high setting then turn it up. Dried out air passages crack and harbour bacteria.

CPAP does not cause them, you have to have the bacteria enter you some where. Having untreated OSA puts you at risk for infection as sleep deprivation reduces your immune system.