CPAPtalk.com

JayR_1945 wrote:

taberge wrote: I would be anxious about catching something nasty.

I would agree that there is a lot of personal preference in the degree and frequency of cleaning. I'm a bit more scrupulous during the Feb-April cardiac and flu season than I am during the rest of the year, where I may let it go 2-3 months. Same with bathroom cleaning and those growing things in the fridge. I'm busy. And, there are always paper plates.
The concern is that the hose, especially one that is damp from humidification may harbor bacteria and viruses. That's why we are urged to get our influenza shot every year and a phuemonia shot every 3 years or so. Because of exposure to hypoxia, our immune system is often compromised.

Pnuemonia shot, cleaning and/or buy new hoses? Our choice.

I have not suffered from hypoxia since optimizing my CPAP treatment ... and I eat healthy so my immune system is not compromised (probably best it has ever been since my teen years) ... so I don't do pnuemonia or flu shots. Besides, washing your hands frequently and keeping them away from your face during flu season is WAY way more effective at mitigating flu potential than flu shots (the wife works in epidemiology so I trust her opinion). I had pnuemonia when I was 10 yo but that was about 35 years before I ever had a CPAP hose ... I have not noticed any correlation between pnuemonia and an uncleaned CPAP hose. So tell me, exactly how many times has your CPAP hose given you pnuemonia?

There are WAY more viruses and bacteria on the keyboard you are using or on a public door knob or the food you eat at most restaurants than a CPAP hose (well, at least my CPAP hose since I don't really know what y'all put in your hoses besides HEPA filtered air and a little water vapor).

I do clean my kitchen every day though, bathroom once a week, and the fridge maybe once every couple of months ... but I'm weird that way.

Anyway, if y'all really want to scare yourselves about what you breathe in, do some research into what may be lurking in the air you breathe at work when you're not using your CPAP.

DITTO DreamStalker...I clean the capap eqip as needed which is RARELY! I'm self pay so I don't worry about the insurance companies. Always have been. I do pretty much the same for immune building...another little trick during the flu and cold season is a blast of saline up the nose and letting it dry before going out in "public". Them critters don't like salt!

Right on schedule,
You are the millionth person to ask about cleaning hoses etc.

You will get many suggestions, some very detailed and elegant solutions to a non problem.

But nobody ever asks if cleaning is necessary and why.

Last week I went to the DME for a new Breeze.
She asked how often I cleaned my hose and I told her about every year.
She went into convulsions and I asked why it needed cleaning.

She asked about the filters and I told her I washed them and reused them if they were clogged.

I wonder what purpose the filters seerve as far as the air delivered to the patient.

IMHO, nothing at all. The filters are for the proteection of the machine.
Not the patient.
What filter do we use the other 16 hours of the day and all the other people in the house use?
I get confused easily anyway.

JayR_1945 wrote:Because of exposure to hypoxia, our immune system is often compromised.

"exposure to hypoxia"??? Hypoxia is a shortage of oxygen in the body.

http://www.favoriteplus.com/hypoxia-symptoms.php

Too many "germophobes" worrying about things which aren't going to affect them at all.

"That which doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger."


Den

Every 3 days or so, I seem to notice a musty smell. I use a heated humidifier. I rinse it out well, refill and no more musty smell. I got sucked in to ordering replacement stuff by the schedule so I've got 4 hoses I'm able to rotate. I do like the drying rod idea! Thanks! I got a bunch of nose pillows, I just rinse in vinegar water when I feel like. I also rotate the foam filters (3 of em) but I replace the paper disposable about every 2 wks. That's about it.

I'm curious has anyone ever heard of someone getting ill from not cleaning their hose or mask. I would be uncomfortable with leaving the same water even distilled water in the tank for an extended period of time due to fungus growth.

Does bacteria grow in the tube?

What are the dangers; the facts?
Ginger

Wulfman wrote:

JayR_1945 wrote:Because of exposure to hypoxia, our immune system is often compromised.

"exposure to hypoxia"??? Hypoxia is a shortage of oxygen in the body.
http://www.favoriteplus.com/hypoxia-symptoms.php
Too many "germophobes" worrying about things which aren't going to affect them at all.
"That which doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger."
Den

The above reference is for acute hypoxia while flying at high altitudes.
Sure, exposure to hypoxia for short periods (hold your breath) may make you stronger.
But when this happens often, for long periods of time, it compromises many of the body's systems.
That is why we're being treated with CPAP.
If after we have been on sussessful CPAP treatment for a while, the body will eventually heal.

Generally I don't like compusive cleaning either. If I let it get really groady, it looks so much better when I do clean it. I detest the regular use of hand sanitizers.