eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Deal With Sinus Problems and Your Cpap

Member
By Peggysue
User-Submitted Article
(5 Ratings)
Deal With Sinus Problems and Your Cpap
Deal With Sinus Problems and Your Cpap

Sleep apnea is very common and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. I, like many others, was told I had sleep apnea about a year ago after going through a couple of sleep studies. After using a cpap machine with a mask for a year now, I have been getting sinus infections. Here are a few steps I have taken to help with the sinus problems while still using my cpap machine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    First try different masks to see which one you are the most comfortable with. Believe me, I’ve been through more then a few to find the one that I could coop with. Now I finally found one that I really like and feel comfortable with.

  2. Step 2

    Using a humidifier with your cpap can have a dramatic effect on comfort. Humidifiers relieve nasal irritation and dryness that can result from constant airflow. Heated humidification is supposed to help with nasal dryness, irritation, or congestion.

  3. Step 3

    Clean your mask by soaking the parts of your mask and hose in warm water and baby shampoo for 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse and let dry. The humidifier can be cleaned by mixing a little vinegar and water and let that sit for about 10 then wash it with mild soap and warm water. The more often you clean the better.

  4. Step 4
     

    Try a nasal rinse, which cleans your passages and gives you a good clean feeling afterward. It will clean out your sinuses and you will be able to breath a lot better. I have been doing the sinus rinse a couple times a day for a few days now after going through a sinus infection and I feel so much better. You must try it.

Tips & Warnings
  • Always use distilled water in you humidifier.
  • When filling the water chamber to clean, fill to the maximum water level mark.
  • Use one part vinegar to ten parts of water.
  • Dispose of any distilled water left in the chamber and replace with fresh water every day.
  • Don’t use moisturize, antibacterial or glycerin based soap.
  • Keep all parts and humidifier out of direct sunlight when drying.

Comments  

dtwelloh said

Flag This Comment

on 3/8/2009 Excellent info. I'll have to try this. Well written article. Give it 5 stars and a recommendation.

showpup said

Flag This Comment

on 5/29/2008 I have a cpap machine as well. I didn't know I could have a humidifier with mine. I'll have to ask about that. It's time to get a new mask anyhow. (insurance lets me get a new one every 6 months - still haven't found my ideal mask)

akchrist said

Flag This Comment

on 5/28/2008 good ideas

Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health