Alcohol and BiPAP

[bilnap]

does having a couple of drinks interfere with the therapy?

[PST]

One would think that it would, by relaxing the muscles that hold the soft palate up. It seems to me that snorers snore more the more they pour. However, I've had a drink before retiring once or twice, and I haven't seen any effect on my AHI. I use straight CPAP, so it isn't a case of the blower compensating with extra pressure.

[timbalionguy]

My father was a pharmacist by profession, and ran a drug store in the little town of Waupun, Wisconsin. One constant feature of his pharmacy was a liquor cabinet, where he would stock liquor that would be prescribed for some patients. The theory here is a drink in the evening often reduced stress, blood pressure, etc. This is well known today, and many people will enjoy a glass of wine in the evening. (I don't drink, BTW) Being more relaxed results in better sleep, and the better sleep quality might balance out the negative effects of having too relaxed a throat. My suspicion is that it doesn't take much alcohol to provide the optimal degree of relaxation, and anything more than that simply dulls your senses (among many other things).

Should you do it? I'm not a doctor, so take this advice accordingly. Try a glass of wine (and no more!) each night for a week, and see how it affects your therapy.

[okitoki]

Try a glass of wine (and no more!) each night for a week

only 1 glass a night?

[jmelby]

I have noticed that the nights where I have ended up with 0.0 AHI have always been nights where I had a few drinks... go figure.

[PST]

I have noticed that the nights where I have ended up with 0.0 AHI have always been nights where I had a few drinks... go figure.

Me too, but it might be because I put the mask on the back of my head.

[sleepmba]

does having a couple of drinks interfere with the therapy?

I would say no, but with a couple of warnings. Make sure your mask is fitting well. You may want to use a humidifier. We are talking a couple of drinks and not a couple of 12-packs, right?

Anyway, you should be just fine.

I have a couple of topics about alcohol/xPAP/and sleep in my blog, click on the address at the bottom of this post to get to it.

[Bibs]

If I get drunk I find that I've removed my mask during the night.