A gross question

[Leatherneck232]

Ok...here is a gross question I've not seen addressed on here yet.
So I'm not sick yet every morning I wake up with my throat full of snot. It takes an hour of coughing to clear it. But that makes my throat sore for the morning and sometimes causes a headache.
I do have somewhat of a runny nose due to the winter season so I wonder if the CPAP is forcing the snot down my throat?

This is a great forum. Thanks admins for making it work.

[lazarus]

CPAP is forcing

My understanding is that the only "force" CPAP normally exerts is that of keeping the airway open. There is a secondary effect of some slight expansion of the lower part of the lungs because of that pressure, but there is no force inherent in PAP that actually moves things around. It just keeps things open (that otherwise might be closed) as it slightly positively pressurizes the airway.

The powerful force that moves things around in your airway is your breathing, and that is obviously not a force you would want to attempt to limit.

somewhat of a runny nose due to the winter season

Seasons themselves do not directly cause a runny nose. Viruses may do that. And changes in air temperature and humidity may cause irritation that can cause similar results. So (1) taking precautions to avoid viruses, (2) adjusting indoor humidity to prevent irritating dryness of the air there, and (3) mitigating temperature changes by covering the nose with fabric or a mask when outdoors in cold, dry air may help.

Relatively new users of CPAP often have a little trouble at first getting the machine humidifier adjusted just right at night during use. That issue usually solves itself with a little time and experience, especially as the body gets used to the 'change in climate' in the upper airway from the constant venting from the mask.

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... ongestion/

I hope those suggestions/observations may be helpful even to those whose necks are said to be made of leather, Leatherneck232.

* quietly hopes Marines are still good at taking jokes *

[Leatherneck232]

Thx for the great reply Lazarus!
The thing is I gotta believe many others have a similar experience.
So of course doing the things you mention do others have strategies besides drugs to cope with it?

[lazarus]

Since you haven't been on CPAP too very long, I would probably start by reading this blog entry from Nate Devore at CPAP.com:

https://www.cpap.com/blog/best-humidity ... p-machine/

[Pugsy]

The thing is I gotta believe many others have a similar experience.

If you mean cpap pushing snot down into your airway and lungs....no you are the first I have heard mention this.

[Leatherneck232]

Yes. Thx Pugsy

So I've played with the humidity and tube temp. I run a humidifier also and keep the house humidity near 50 percent.
Right now I've settled on my machines humidity level at 3 and tube temp of 80. I get rainout above 3.

[LoneStar]

When I first started, I went with the recommendation that most people have - use a humidifier.

I have sinus problems.

The humidifier seriously exacerbated all the mucus. Like you, I woke up drowning it it.

So I changed my humidity to pass over. I don't turn on the humidifier, but the air "passes over" the water and I get a little moisture that is enough for me. No more drowning in mucus.

I had the Fisher Paykel H150 Humidifier. Now I just have the tank (HC325) velcroed to my CPAP table.

Oh, and I use a heated hose to prevent rainout. YMMV.

[Leatherneck232]

Thx Lonestar
I will try the passive humidity tonight

[ChicagoGranny]

Thx Lonestar
I will try the passive humidity tonight

Some of us never use the humidifier. Not even in cold, dry months when the central furnace is running a lot.

The purpose of the humidifier is to keep the nasal passages from becoming dry. Since my passages don't dry, I figure why mess with the humidifier?

[lynninnj]

The thing is I gotta believe many others have a similar experience.

If you mean cpap pushing snot down into your airway and lungs....no you are the first I have heard mention this.

am I the only one reading this with Jethro Tull Aqualung playing in thier head?

I find the heat and humidity work much like a hot shower. If a hot shower creates the runny nose and snot movement then maybe cpap contribute similarly.

[Pugsy]

The thing is I gotta believe many others have a similar experience.

If you mean cpap pushing snot down into your airway and lungs....no you are the first I have heard mention this.

am I the only one reading this with Jethro Tull Aqualung playing in thier head?

I find the heat and humidity work much like a hot shower. If a hot shower creates the runny nose and snot movement then maybe cpap contribute similarly.

I am not disputing the fact that the humidity selection can impact nasal congestion and/or drainage.

I was only addressing this part

if the CPAP is forcing the snot down my throat?

And while cpap use can impact nasal congestion or drainage..... it isn't forcing snot down someone's throat.
The air pressure isn't great enough to force anything down someone's throat.
Now normal drainage....that's a whole different thing and has to be dealt with by the normal means (whatever works).

[chunkyfrog]

Mucus does its job by moving "stuff" out of you.
Thick mucus results from dehydration.
Drink enough water and your mucus thins out and works better.
The tricky part is reaching a balance between your heart, lungs, and bladder.

[Leatherneck232]

Balance. The $64,000 question lol.
Do I take more bladder meds or just drink less??

Will be interesting to see how I feel after a night of pass over humidity.

[bwexler]

Leatherneck232

I have recently noticed a similar problem. I simply move on with my day and deal with it.
Until reading your post I had not given it much thought.

I suspect it may be more of an issue when I sleep on my back instead of my left side.

[Leatherneck232]

Hi Bwexler

I sleep mostly on my sides so gravity may not be the issue for me.
The really annoying thing is that I sound sick all the time.