Why do turbinates swell at night?

What I would give to get a picture of my own nasal structure in that detail.

Anyway, the turbinates don't look that big. Why can't I just use a very high pressure to blow open my swollen turbinates?

1041 wrote:What I would give to get a picture of my own nasal structure in that detail.

Anyway, the turbinates don't look that big. Why can't I just use a very high pressure to blow open my swollen turbinates?

I think the pressure would be too high to tolerate. Think back to the last time you tried to blow your nose forcefully when you were severely stuffed up. For me, my ears pop, my head hurts, etc. I doubt you could stand that level of pressure on your CPAP.

I have exactly the same thing. Nothing works. Could it be related to blood pressure ?
Cpap didn't work. Please help. Seen three ENT
No help.

Same problem. Its not allergies, or anything else they can find. One ENT (of several I saw) said turbinates can swell just because you are getting older. I'm only 37! It only happens at night, and doctors have told me "that doesn't happen." One night was so bad I used a flashlight to see up my nose (hint: shine the light in the other nostril) and saw the turbinate was so swollen the opening was the size of a pin hole. Nothing seemed to work (afrin did nothing) and cpap was intolerable. I kept waking up from insane pressure in my nose. Finally a doctor suggested azelastine and fluticasone (so both antihistamine and steroid) and that's been about the only thing that made any difference. I think time, rest, exercise and a better diet have made a bigger difference.

(update 11.7.20 - I eventually had turbinate reduction surgery twice. The first time didn't do much, but the second time I was anesthetized, which I think helped them do a better job of properly reducing the turbinate. That's the only thing that has helped me lay down and not have a clogged nose. Cpap is also finally making a difference...four years later)

Corban76 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 12, 2018 5:24 pm

Same problem. Its not allergies, or anything else they can find. One ENT (of several I saw) said turbinates can swell just because you are getting older. I'm only 37! It only happens at night, and doctors have told me "that doesn't happen." One night was so bad I used a flashlight to see up my nose (hint: shine the light in the other nostril) and saw the turbinate was so swollen the opening was the size of a pin hole. Nothing seemed to work (afrin did nothing) and cpap was intolerable. I kept waking up from insane pressure in my nose. Finally a doctor suggested azelastine and fluticasone (so both antihistamine and steroid) and that's been about the only thing that made any difference. I think time, rest, exercise and a better diet have made a bigger difference.

You should experiment with different humidity settings on your machine........including turning off the heat and using cool "passover" humidity.
I turned my heated humidity off about the second night and have never looked back. Cool humidity all year long.

PS. And, prolonged use (more than three nights) of Afrin can produce a rebound effect and make your congestion worse.
Get off of Afrin ASAP.


Den

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1) I read that you've played with humitidy, but I wanted to say I had the same symptoms and reducing the heated humidifier to "off" worked on respironics, on resmed I've had no troubles since I turned off automatic and reduced temperature by 2 degrees. No humidity at all was too little. You may have to play for a bit.

2) Have you tried elevating the head of your bed, sleeping on a wedge or tried sleeping in a recliner just to see if position might help?

Interesting that Wulfman and I had the same successful solution to turn off the humidifier's heater.

RonS wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:03 am

Interesting that Wulfman and I had the same successful solution to turn off the humidifier's heater.

There have actually been many people on this forum who have found the same thing. Unfortunately, there are many who have never tried "our" solution. They just don't do enough experimenting to find out. For me, the heated humidity made me feel more claustrophobic and I also experienced "rainout".
Others have reported higher AHIs, snoring, etc.

Glad to hear it worked for you


Den

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Wulfman... wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:45 pm

Unfortunately, there are many who have never tried "our" solution.

A long time ago I tried your way. Disastrous results. My nasal mucosa got really pissed off and took 3 days to get over being mad at me and it was a miserable 3 days. Repeated the experiment inadvertently a few times over the years when I forgot to refill the water tank and it went dry and again I pissed off the nasal mucosa again.

But I always tell people to try both ways because the nasal mucosa and a person's on personal preference can vary so widely and each person has to figure out which way their preferences and needs lean.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:16 am

A long time ago I tried your way. Disastrous results. My nasal mucosa got really pissed off and took 3 days to get over being mad at me and it was a miserable 3 days. Repeated the experiment inadvertently a few times over the years when I forgot to refill the water tank and it went dry and again I pissed off the nasal mucosa again.

But I always tell people to try both ways because the nasal mucosa and a person's on personal preference can vary so widely and each person has to figure out which way their preferences and needs lean.

Not dry. Wet with the heater turned off.

RonS wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 14, 2018 1:42 pm

Not dry. Wet with the heater turned off.

Whatever floats your boat.
My original experiment was just a simple drop in the setting to 1 which is one above off.

Humidity preferences and hose air temperatures....definitely come with that very big YMMV sticker.
If a person's nose is happy with whatever they are doing then I wouldn't go changing things myself but if the nose isn't happy then by all means try something different.

My nose was happy with what I had been doing but I just had to try minimal humidity just for the sake of trying. I paid for it dearly.
When we experiment we always learn something...now that something might be "what a stupid frigging idea that was" but we always learn.

Mundy wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:47 pm

If you think it might be allergies, you might try this filter: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -pack.html

Its bliss for me to sleep 8 hours a night allergen free! My doctor prescribed it for me so Medicare covers it. Its not expensive to buy on your own either.

you gave the link to the old, no longer available item. this is the new item https://www.cpap.com/productpage/generi ... -pack.html . how long do 5 of them last @ $17.75 per pack of 5? i ass-u-me they are disposable and not cleanable.

greatunclebill wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:30 pm

I ass-u-me they are disposable and not cleanable.

Maybe a craft item?