does CPAP use reduce ear wax?

[harry33]

"I read recently read in Your Jaws, Your life (by Dr. David C. Page ) that ear wax production was related to obstructive sleep apnea. I never thought about it in this way, since ear wax is thought to be a normal process. But in retrospect, I have many people with sleep-breathing problems that make extremely excessive ear wax. Some even have to come in once monthly to take out a plug the size of the end of your pinky. Here’s one possible explanation: Any degree of sleep-breathing problems can cause an imbalance in your involuntary nervous system. This is what controls your blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, sweating, temperature regulation, digestion, and other important body functions. It’s divided into the sympathetic (stress, fight or flight response) and the parasympathetic (relaxation response) nervous systems. I’ve described situations where due to relatively too much of a stress response, you can have cold hands or feet, or chronic diarrhea. Sweating is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. Ear wax is a modified form of sweat, since the glands have similar origins. Think of it as a dried form of sweat. If for whatever reason, if your sympathetic nervous system is over-activated, then you can "sweat" excessively in certain parts of your body, and this can happen on one or both sides. This would make for an interesting study: Can CPAP for OSA lessen ear wax production? "

I seem to have less ear wax now....

[potholerepairman]

Just stuck my finger in my ear.Rookie cpaper here(2/3 weeks) and I think you are on to something.Won't go into the evidence but my ear crayon is gone.

[swknight]

I was just recently diagnosed with severe OSA.

I remember going to see a doctor for a cold or something several months ago. She looks in my ears and says "Wow. You got a lot of wax - I can barely see in there. You should head over to our pharmacy aisle and get some ear wax remover."

I am just starting to use my CPAP so we'll see if the amount decreases /

[GumbyCT]

It appears that mine has increased. I thought it was cuz I am always having that ear down.

[Hawthorne]

I have had a problem with ear wax most of my life. I started on cpap for my sleep apnea 7 years ago. I don't think my ear wax problem has decreased in those 7 years.

[kteague]

Hmmm... been on cpap going on 4 years. Quit needing to use Q-tips quite some time ago, can't remember when. Just seems there's nothing there needing cleaned, though I used to be quite "waxy". I just attributed it to something else that dries up after menopause.
Kathy

[boston]

now that you mention it, yes i have noticed a lot less ear wax

[lok]

Huh?

[drubin007]

Never actually thought about it, and been on cpap for about 6 or 7 months now?

As I think about it now, there may be less junk coming out of the hearing portals...

ironically enough, it was a clogged ear (ear infection) that brought me to an ENT doctor, that
in turn had me doing an allergy test and scheduling a sleep study that ultimately put me on
cpap (I snored, but never had a clue I had OSA).

that taught me something about doctors... don't go see them! Ignorance is bliss.

[jnk]

I have found that my mask works best when I wear it over my nose.

[Muse-Inc]

I have found that my mask works best when I wear it over my nose.

I needed that laugh! Thanks JNK!

[SeaPappy]

I have found that my mask works best when I wear it over my nose.

That could explain my constipation!!

[dkdc]

I can't seem to find the button to get ear wax data on my resmed machine. Can someone help me?

[jnk]

Did somebody just say something?

[MurphysLaw]

It sounds like you are on to something. This past year I've noticed an unexplained marked decrease in ear wax for the first time in my life. I don't miss it one bit.