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Can CPAP Machines Help Colds and Flu?
Fall is often the cold and flu season. Moreover, fall allergy season hits at full tenacity with pollen, mold, and ragweed. You might start being congested, coughing, and wondering if you should be using CPAP with a cold.
Can you still Use A CPAP Machine with A Cold?
Yes. It’s very common to decide that once you have some nasal congestion or feel like you’re developing something to stop using your CPAP for a few days, your symptoms reduce. Use your CPAP with a cold to help with symptoms. CPAP humidifiers eliminate congestion CPAP machines can help get rid of discomfort. If you get a CPAP stuffy nose or CPAP sinus pressure change to a CPAP with a humidifier to eliminate mucus. The humidifier will increase moisture to the air passing through your hose to battle congestion and dryness. Moreover, must humidifiers are warm so that you can adjust the temperature of the air depending on your needs. Heated humidity helps to avoid nasal discomfort and relieves inflammation. If your nose is at a low temperature, your nostrils’ blood vessels dilate to help warm up the air your intaking. Consequentially, the extra blood flow can lead to your airways narrowing, leading to increased mucus production.
Constantly checking room temperature avoids rain out
However, with a humidifier, CPAP rainout can happen. This is when condensation accumulates in the tubing due to the temperature of the room being lower than the air passing through the CPAP tube.
Prevention of Rainout
- Turning humidity settings down.
- Increasing the temperature of your room.
- Placing your CPAP machine below the bed.
- Keep the hose engulfed with your blankets or a tube wrap.
Besides using a CPAP humidifier, it’s appropriate to switch from a nasal mask to a full-face mask when you have a cold. Thus, if you can’t breathe through your nose, your body will still receive the supply of the oxygen it needs. To aid in adjusting sleeping with a full-face mask, try changing your sleeping posture or propping your pillows to increase comfort.
Using CPAP while having a flu
Cleaning CPAP equipment often prevents Flu and Cold
Not only do CPAPs help remedy cold and flu symptoms such as congestions, coughing, sore throat, and more, but they assist you to get the rest your body requires. Studies demonstrate that lack of sleep affects your immune system. If you don’t get proper rest, you’re more likely to get sick. Sleep deprivation also relates to how quickly you recover from illnesses because your body needs it to combat infectious diseases. Your body needs quality sleep to decrease the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Keeping Your Equipment sanitized
Warm, humid environments like the inside of a CPAP humidifier chamber or hose can become breeding areas for mold, germs, and infectious bacteria. It’s essential for your health, to sanitize your CPAP about once a week, to reduce your chances of getting sick. Wash your CPAP hose, humidifier chamber, mask, and other equipment by placing them in warm water with a few drops of detergent included. Swirl them around, dry them, and then hang them up until they are dry. Clean your CPAP machine by wiping it with a clean damp cloth to eliminate any dust.
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