Essential Oils to Treat Congestion?

Bizarrely, I’ve developed what can only be explained as a new allergy (never had them before) where I get significantly congested at night. This poses a big problem with my therapy, started only a few weeks ago. So far I’ve been relying on otc nasal decongestant spray but I’m pretty sure that’s not a long term solution. I desperately need to find a means of clearing my nasal passages at night. So I came across “ CPAP Infusion Adapter for Essential Oils” where they claim one can use some oil blends to fight congestion.

Any thoughts on this? Any other help to fight unexplained congestion?

Hi, well it's important to never ever put anything in the water... some put e.g. scents on cotton balls and leave them near the air intake, but nothing should go in the water.

As far as your congestion goes... note that the humidifier is a convenience, not mandatory 'therapy', and if your local humidity is already high, you may not need to add any, or only use it on a low setting on drier nights. Some never use it at all, others need it often, but using it when unnecessary will cause congestion, so try either lowering your setting or turning it off altogether for a couple of nights and see how things go.

Flonase is a good nasal rinse if you want to use something in the meantime.

grounded wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:32 pm

“ CPAP Infusion Adapter for Essential Oils”

Nonsensical scam. Don't waste your money. Some of those essential oils may be harmful.

grounded wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:32 pm

So far I’ve been relying on otc nasal decongestant spray but I’m pretty sure that’s not a long term solution.

Right. If you discontinue use and get rebound congestion, ask here for tips on dealing with it.

Yes, some people find too high of a humidifier setting causes congestion. Others have problems with too low of a setting. Experimenting with different settings may help you find something that solves the problem.

BTW, in what position do you sleep?

Please fill out your equipment profile. https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=ucp_ ... pment_info

Julie wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:11 am

Flonase is a good nasal rinse if you want to use something in the meantime.

Flonase is not a nasal rinse. Flonase is a nasal steroid (fluticasone) spray.

Here's my CPAP Infusion Adapter for Essential Oils. About 2 cents each.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:53 am

my CPAP Infusion Adapter for Essential Oils

Are you using that for congestion or just because the aroma is soothing?

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:07 am

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:53 am

my CPAP Infusion Adapter for Essential Oils

Are you using that for congestion or just because the aroma is soothing?

Actually not using it anymore.

Two years ago, prior to my Septoplasty and I was desperate to help breathe through my nose I tried it. Tried essential oils and noxema. None helped.

The point I'm trying to make is; if one wants some aroma therapy don't waste your money on some silly adapter.

grounded wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:32 pm

Bizarrely, I’ve developed what can only be explained as a new allergy (never had them before) where I get significantly congested at night. This poses a big problem with my therapy, started only a few weeks ago.

Did it develop before or after starting cpap therapy?

Are you using a humidifier? If so, at what setting?

Julie wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:11 am

Hi, well it's important to never ever put anything in the water... some put e.g. scents on cotton balls and leave them near the air intake, but nothing should go in the water

Actually I was looking at this thing:

https://www.amazon.com/CPAP-Infusion-Ad ... r_1_1_sspa

Julie wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:11 am

As far as your congestion goes... note that the humidifier is a convenience, not mandatory 'therapy', and if your local humidity is already high, you may not need to add any, or only use it on a low setting on drier nights. Some never use it at all, others need it often, but using it when unnecessary will cause congestion, so try either lowering your setting or turning it off altogether for a couple of nights and see how things go.

I’m in Minnesota where we currently have the AC on and so the RH inside the house is probably at about 50%. I am using my air sense humidifier but it’s important to note that my congestion kicks in anywhere from 4 PM to 8 PM, well before I go to bed. Many nights it’s so bad that I can’t even breathe at all through my nose until I use the spray. The spray is a 12 hour formula so I’m able to breathe without any problem through the night but the major concern is that I cannot continue long-term using the spray every night. There’s no way possible I could use the mask if it were not for the spray to clear my nasal airway

How long have you been using the nasal spray?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:44 am

Did it develop before or after starting cpap therapy?

Before. Started approximately last Christmas. I’ve only started therapy about three weeks ago. It’s grown progressively worse over the past eight weeks.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:44 am

Are you using a humidifier? If so, at what setting?

Using the ResMed integrated humidifier set at 4

grounded wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:51 am

Before. Started approximately last Christmas. I’ve only started therapy about three weeks ago. It’s grown progressively worse over the past eight weeks.

Are you under the care of an ENT/Allergist?

For new CPAP patients, it's always a good idea to have an airway exam by an ENT. They can do it in the office on the first visit. It only takes a few minutes and can sometimes reveal a previously unknown problem.

I am wondering if the congestion now is rebound congestion depending on how long and regularly someone has been using the spray.

I doubt it is related to the humidity setting causing it (as in either too much or too little added moisture).

Back to the original question of using essential oils to help with congestion or simply because you like the smell of something.

I often put a little essential oil on a cotton ball on a glass dish right behind the air intake of the machine. That's the safest place and it's cheap. Sometimes it's something that just smells good and sometimes it's something that seems to help minor congestion that I might have.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:58 am

Are you under the care of an ENT/Allergist?

Not yet but I’ve set up a video visit next week.

For new CPAP patients, it's always a good idea to have an airway exam by an ENT. They can do it in the office on the first visit. It only takes a few minutes and can sometimes reveal a previously unknown problem.

I’ll try anything at this point. Thanks