sore throat

I have been using a cpap machine for a short while now and have to admit that I haven't gone in depth about getting to know it. I just use the thing. What I'm wishing to know at the moment is what you do when you get a sore throat. Could this be the result of inadequate cleaning of the hose or water chamber or mask? I read that open mouth breathing could be the cause. Or what else could cause a one sided sore throat? I am still learning how often to clean this stuff and with what (using vinegar and water probably not often enough). My impulse is to discontinue use of the machine until my sore throat goes away and to get to know how often I should have been and have not been cleaning everything better. I do not empty the water chamber unless it is time to wash it which I am now doing about once a week along with the other stuff (tubing and mask). I use distilled water.

Cleaning should not be the problem...usually mouth breathing or too low humidity setting.

Or you could have a plain vanilla throat infection/cold/flu you caught from a friend or family.

One-sided sore throat is likely results from allergy, with nasal discharge dripping down one side of the throat due to head position.

fishdamsel wrote:I have been using a cpap machine for a short while now and have to admit that I haven't gone in depth about getting to know it. I just use the thing. What I'm wishing to know at the moment is what you do when you get a sore throat. Could this be the result of inadequate cleaning of the hose or water chamber or mask? I read that open mouth breathing could be the cause. Or what else could cause a one sided sore throat? I am still learning how often to clean this stuff and with what (using vinegar and water probably not often enough). My impulse is to discontinue use of the machine until my sore throat goes away and to get to know how often I should have been and have not been cleaning everything better. I do not empty the water chamber unless it is time to wash it which I am now doing about once a week along with the other stuff (tubing and mask). I use distilled water.

You didn't tell us what type of mask you were using, but even with a full face mask, mouth-breathing can cause a dry mouth or sore throat. Or, it could be a coincidence. Make sure your mouth is sealed shut before going to bed. If you're using a heated humidifier on your CPAP, keep in mind that too high of a humidifier setting can actually cause more nasal congestion. You may need to try turning your humidifier setting way down or off. Also, do nasal cleansing before bedtime so you can actually breathe through your nose.

Resist that impulse. Don't keep trying to find excuses not to use it. There are throat lozenges and other things to soothe your sore throat till you get better and/or figure out how it happened. First of all, you need to stop mouth-breathing.


Den