Head cold with cpap

[LSAT]

Winter cold season is here and I an developing a stuffed nose. Last night the humidifier helped, but I took off the mask at 3AM. Any suggestions?

[nightjar]

You might try a full-face mask, LSAT; it'd let you breathe through your mouth while your nose is stuffed up. (I need to get an FFM, too, even though I really like my nasal mask.)

Also, you might try using a neti pot to clear out your sinuses.

The best thing would be to use a sauna every night. That would really help get rid of your congestion, I'll bet! (I sure wish I had a sauna to use on a regular basis. . . .)

But the FFM and a neti pot would help--and they'd cost lots less than a sauna, too.

Good luck,

Nath

[Sherry Scarlett]

What is a neti pot? My husband has been using cpap for about a year. He continuously suffers with bouts of sneezing, runny nose, and feeling really bad. Anybody have any suggestions?

[echo]

A neti pot is a gentle way to clean out the sinuses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

You mix some warm water, salt, and stick the thing up one nostril, tilt your head, and let it drain out the other nostril. Many people swear by them. (It also helps pollution-related sinusitis). Best is to use it in the morning or early afternoon, but definintely not just before masking up - it can just make the congestion worse.