Can CPAP cause congestion?

[MizLizzie]

My mom, my three siblings and I are all now on CPAP. Mom has always complained that it causes congestion. She is indeed incredibly congested when she gets up in the morning, although she has no allergies and no sinus conditions during the day. We have always assumed CPAP could not be causing it. She sounds normal again by about 9 AM.

My younger sister just began therapy, and this morning she sounded like someone had poured concrete in her head. I asked her if she was sick and she said, no, it’s just the CPAP causing it. ???? Mom and sis both claim that the issue persists with or without humidification.

Can this be true? And if so, any suggestions for dealing with it? Didn’t find anything in the archives.

As an aside, I am the only family member who does in fact have asthma and very severe allergies. I found that the CPAP cleans the air and I am the LEAST congested when I get up in the AM. Then it is all downhill from there and by the time I go to bed, I cannot breathe until the CPAP has been on about 30 minutes.

[Pugsy]

Google "cpap rhinitis".

The congestion is related to the humidity setting and each person can have highly individualized humidity needs.
One person may need more humidity and the next person may need minimal to none added moisture.
It's just something each person has to play around with and figure out what their nasal mucosa needs to be happy.

I usually tell people that if they are using a relatively low setting to try increasing the humidity setting.
If using a higher setting already then try reducing it.
If using a middle of the road setting try a bit higher first because the odds are a little more is needed.

[Julie]

I find that higher humidity, especially when prevailing local conditions are already humid, does cause congestion, so don't use it until drier times occur. It's not mandatory 'therapy' after all, but a convenience when needed.

[MizLizzie]

Thanks, guys. I never humidify, works for me. I will ask them to start tweaking.

[SleepyCPAP]

I echo the advice about humidifier settings.
But I also find that if I have not been doing a thorough cleaning of my mask and humidifier tank it can also give me the symptoms you are describing.

- SleepyCPAP

[zonker]

Thanks, guys. I never humidify, works for me. I will ask them to start tweaking.

this is a very personal thing. we don't all have exactly the same reactions. some don't use it a t all. some fill the tank with water but don't turn it on.

me, i live in a very humid area, but i still need a wee bit to keep the congestion at bay.

different strokes for different folks.