dripping into lungs?

Sorry if this is a terribly dumb question, but is it possible for a cpap to blow post-nasal drip into lungs? I'm trying to find out why I've been short of breath since I started cpap. Allergies have always been a problem. Thanks.

Ask your doctor if you're truly worried about it. But, let's think about this. Your nose, by design, drains into your stomach. Kind of gross to think about. The moving air may speed up this process, but I doubt if much of anything would make it into your lungs. And even if some did, is there not mucous in your lungs as well? I have post nasal issues and I'm not really worried about this. I'm at a 16 right now. I do have a little of the opposite problem i.e. swallowing air that should have been breathed. Not a huge problem, but it's annoying...

Tim

Think about athletes, for instance runners, rowers or NBA players.Their lungs are continuously pulling in air and creating a pressure in the nostrils greater than the highest cpap setting. Mucous in the lungs is not a problem for them just as it is not a problem for cpap patients.

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/Sinusi ... mptoms.htm

Yes post nasal drainage can enter the lungs-but it isn't the CPAP. It occurs because the nasal passages have a direct link to the lungs. When you swallow the epiglottis closes over the trachea-food, water, and mucous go into the esophagus and stomach. Often post nasal drainage just trickles down the back of the throat and can enter the trachea because the amount is small and doesn't trigger swallowing-the epiglottis remains open when not swallowing so air can enter the lungs. If you have sinusitis or upper respiratory infection the mucous carries the organism that is causing the infection. The association of sinusitis with bronchitis is well known. The reverse can also occur when the cough of bronchitis drives bacteria up through the nose/into the sinuses.

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