Why You Need a CPAP Humidifier

First the basics

Before discussing what a CPAP humidifier does. CPAP is the acronym used for the term Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is the primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. And it provides effective relief in a majority of cases.

When a person suffers from sleep apnea, their breathing literally stops several times during the night while they sleep. As a result, they never truly get a good night's sleep and suffer anywhere from mild to severe health problems as a result. CPAP therapy keeps the airway open by delivering a continuous stream of air that props open the throat passage. With the airway open a person can breathe normally throughout the night and fall into a deep sleep giving them the rest they truly need.

CPAP machinery

The air in a CPAP treatment is delivered from a machine through a flexible tube to the nose and/or mouth via a mask. Most machines are fairly compact these days and reliable. And most masks provide comfortable fits, although you need to take the proper time to find one that's right for your facial contours. But the key to long-term successful sleep apnea treatment is not how well the devices work, but rather the quality of air they deliver. In short, how well is the air treated as it's being delivered to your airway. That's where a CPAP humidifier comes in.

The benefits of moisture

It's important to remember that no matter how beneficial the air you're receiving is to your sleep apnea, it is also a drying agent. Over time it will tend to dry out your nasal and sinus passages. That drying will lead to irritation and the irritation to some unpleasant side effects - namely possible sneezing, swelling, congestion, or even nasal bleeding. So, to prevent that from happening, it's a good idea to humidify the air.

When the air is humidified, moisture is added to it. That moisture makes it easier for your nasal passages to accept the air and helps keep them moist throughout the night. The moist air protects your sinuses from irritation which means you're more likely to wear the CPAP mask for more nights and thereby really experience the benefits of CPAP treatment.

Several CPAP devices come with on-board humidifiers or have connections that easily accept accessory humidifiers. The accessory humidifiers are sometimes known as passover humidifiers because the air from the device "passes over" the water in the humidifier before continuing on to the CPAP mask. In many cases the CPAP humidifiers themselves also heat the air so it's both moist and warm. That's a real plus in the winter time when bedrooms tend to get cold anyway.

A CPAP humidifier will enhance your CPAP therapy by making the air more comfortable to breathe. With greater comfort comes less irritation and ultimately less side effects. That means the CPAP therapy itself will have a much higher chance of success.

If you think you have a sleep apnea problem take some time to learn more about the CPAP devices that can give you some relief. Some devices can make a huge difference in your therapy - for instance devices like a CPAP Humidifier.