How to Prevent and Alleviate Nasal Dryness While Using a CPAP

Nasal dryness and dry mouth are common side effects of CPAP therapy, causing discomfort that can be as bothersome for those who use a CPAP machine. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce, and even eliminate, nasal dryness while using a CPAP.

What Causes Nasal Dryness During CPAP Therapy?

CPAP machines use positive airway pressure to treat obstructive sleep apnea. During treatment, a mask is used to deliver a constant supply of pressurized airflow throughout the night. This constant airflow can dry out the CPAP user’s airways and make it difficult to keep the passageways warm, resulting in a loss of moisture in the nasal passages and mouth. This inevitably results in a dry, uncomfortable sensation in the nose, mouth and throat and can cause other side effects like bloody noses, dry lips, inflammation and in very rare cases, infections.

Solving the Problem of Dryness During CPAP Therapy

There are several ways to alleviate these symptoms during CPAP therapy:

1. Adjust the fitting of your mask: if your CPAP mask is not fitted properly to your face, this can cause air to leak out at night and cause dryness. Make sure you are using a mask that fits your face and is properly secured with headgear straps.
2. OTC products: there are some over-the-counter products that can help alleviate dry mouth and nasal dryness. These include saline spray/ drops, nasal moisturizer, etc. Check with your doctor before using any of these products in conjunction with your CPAP therapy.
3. Humidification: a heated humidifier can reduce irritation in the airways during CPAP treatment. Heated humidifiers are a common solution for CPAP therapy, often integrated into the CPAP machines. This is a simple and effective method to alleviate dryness caused by CPAP machines.

What Should You Look for in CPAP Humidification?

Not all CPAP machines are the same, and not all of them interact with humidifiers in the same way. Here’s what you should look for when it comes to CPAP humidification:

1. Integrated heated humidification: while some CPAP machines can be used in conjunction with external humidifiers, there are CPAP machines that come with built-in humidification technology.
2. How long humidification lasts: CPAP humidifiers require more water, but some models have more efficient humidification technology that uses less water.
3. Battery-powered humidification: if you like to travel, this feature will undoubtedly be important for you. Many CPAP machines with heated humidifiers cannot be powered on a battery.  Look for one that makes travel easy so you can get the CPAP therapy you need every night.

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