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Aromatherapy

PAP Aromatherapy - Worth Consideration

by drbandage

One of the huge challenges facing people with sleep apnea is actually getting to the correct diagnosis, as we all know. But, the “double whammy” is that even if they should manage to get that far, there is another very challenging hurdle looming between them and their return to optimum health: treatment.

It is a cruel irony that this ailment not only has proven so difficult to diagnose (for a variety of reasons), but also has such an abysmal compliance rate, ultimately resulting in treatment failure. An alarmingly large number of people just quit treatment within the first month because for them, the “cure” is worse than the disease. Obviously, the result of this treatment failure has a predictable outcome. Untreated sleep apnea, whether by missed diagnosis, or failure to comply with the care plan, has the same horrendous outcome. Physiologically, the body cares not about the reason why the mask is absent.

In that regard, I want to weigh in with an opinion about a product that I have seen mentioned on this board on at least several occasions. Pur-Sleep is a company started by SleepGuy on the forum here. The product offered is a simple diffusion device that allows very small amounts of natural aromatics (in this case, essential oils) to scent the air being delivered to the mask. Importantly, the arrangement allows oils to be used without infusing them into the water of the humidifier, while also avoiding any direct contact with either the mask or the hose.

I am reasonably optimistic that a significant number of people may find that the use of this product, along with any of the other “creature comforts” will lead to better tolerance of treatment, which will ultimately lead to better compliance rates.

One of the most prevalent reasons for giving up on OSA treatment is quite obvious: having a mask strapped onto your face while turbo charged air is blown into your pharynx is not comfortable for a variety of reasons. Many people, including myself, find that donning the mask is somewhat claustrophobic, especially at first, and relaxation may be difficult to achieve no matter how motivated you may be.

From a purely scientific view point, there are some compelling reasons why the diffusion device may prove beneficial. The human sense of smell is quite different from our other senses in some very profound ways. For one thing, it is the only sense that involves the direct interaction between airborne molecules and millions of olfactory receptor cells, which are in fact extensions of the brain itself.

We also know that the sense of smell is regulated by the Limbic System, that part of the human brain which also has been shown to be the “command center” for the regulation of human emotions. This then is the same part of the brain that would regulate such feelings as claustrophobia, anxiety, and irritation, among others.

As we know, many people experience these same unpleasant feelings, especially when first trying to use their xPAP. These issues are so problematic for many people that a very significant number of OSA patients give up during the first week. And, even with steely resolve, a tragically large number of patients will have will stopped using their equipment over the course of the first few years because tolerance to the treatment is so difficult to achieve.

Human responses to odors, both positive and negative, are known to be deeply connected to emotions. The smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, and other memorable aromas, is an accepted part of the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients and others with dementia, in helping to retain long term memories. Additionally, there is an increasing body of evidence in the medical literature demonstrating that aromatics can be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and the feelings of claustrophobia that are often associated with certain medical procedures (such as MRI) and dental care. Another recent study strongly suggests that newborn babies experience less pain with routine heel prick procedures in the presence of a pleasant, familiar smell.

On the other hand, it would seem reasonable to postulate that the volatile plastic compounds of which the mask and hose are made may stimulate unpleasant feelings in the new user, particularly during the critical first few nights of therapy. Along with the additional discomfort that comes from having the device strapped to the face, a formidable challenge must be overcome if compliance is to be achieved.

I believe that the diffusion device and the natural aromatic that are it delivers has the potential to help a lot of people with their xPAP therapy, particularly people just starting out and people who are struggling to relax and get comfortable. Anecdotally, I’ve tried the Pur-Sleep products and have found that they add just enough of a pleasant smell to my equipment to make the whole experience more enjoyable and relaxing. Given the extremely low xPAP compliance rates, I believe that anything that has the potential to increase xPAP compliance is a good thing.

I think the idea of aromatherapy being beneficial in xPAP therapy is very intriguing. I wish I had thought of it! It may provide substantial benefit for what appears to be very minimal risk and expense. And it may just add hedonic value to your life!