OSA Caused by Nasal Congestion?

[Carleton]

I had another thought/question...

I have understood obstructive sleep apnea to be a blockage of the airway at the back of the throat.

But I have been noticing that I experience a fair bit of nasal congestion at night. Could nasal congestion alone cause OSA?

I am both a nose & mouth breather, so I would have assumed that I would just open my mouth if my nostrils aren't open enough. And before CPAP I would sometimes wake up with dry mouth. But definitely not all the time.

I don't have much confidence in my sleep test, but it gave me a 22 AHI and diagnosed only OSA. No CSA.

Thank you!!


-Carleton

[Julie]

If the definition of apnea is throat blockage, how does nasal congestion figure in there?

If you have NC, deal with that, but don't confuse it with OSA. Maybe you're using the humidifier when ambient conditions don't call for more, but add congestion... maybe you have other nasal issues, but those aren't in your throat.

[Pugsy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

OSA doesn't happen in the nose. It happens farther down the airway. Watch the above video.

Now that is not to say that nasal congestion can't cause sleep problems but it isn't OSA. I sleep horribly if I am congested in my nose but I have to deal with that congestion in other ways like decongestants for whatever is causing the nasal congestion.

[Carleton]

That was a great video! Thank you!!! Super informative. Although makes me wonder if I even have sleep apnea.

Have you tried a neti pot / Navage / etc? I think I'm going to give something like that a try.

[zonker]

Have you tried a neti pot / Navage / etc? I think I'm going to give something like that a try.

many people have. myself, i use flonase or generic equivalant found at costco.
(tip of the hat to dogslobber)

[Pugsy]

Have you tried a neti pot / Navage / etc? I think I'm going to give something like that a try.

I haven't ever done the neti pot thing or Navage or anything like that. It gives me the heebie jeebies to even think about it.
Big wuss I am.

Though lots of other people have done it and like it and it helps.....I just can't do it.
Fortunately I don't have much of a problem with nasal congestion unless I have a cold or other such upper respiratory infection.

[Deborah K.]

I use a Neti Pot every day and have done so for many years. I still have congestion, but I sleep mostly on my back and that helps the congestion drain down my throat while I sleep. The Neti Pot helps a lot with congestion issues, and probably helps those of us who are always congested a little with our pap treatment. It certainly can't hurt!

[Carleton]

Awesome, thank you guys for the feedback!! I just have general nighttime congestion, probably more this time of year. I am more of a side sleeper and find the lower nostril often shuts off near completely. Probably why I usually go to sleep breathing through my nose, and then automatically switch to my mouth. I will start experimenting a bit!

[jlsmithseven]

Not sure if this will help or not but I’ve dealt with nasal congestion a lot recently. I decided to clean our baseboard heaters , vacuum everywhere and dust everywhere. I think it made a world of difference. Also the cabin air filter in my car was disgusting, fill with leaves dust and dirt. I changed that out too and I can smell the fresh air come in. Worth a shot.! I’ve been feeling much better recently because of these things.

[bucko]

I just dab a little vapo rub in my nose and I breath clear all night with my nasal pillows.