Side benefits of CPAP

[tlippy]

Central Oregon is notorious for no humidity.  So bad that for 15 years my heels split - sometimes to the point of bleeding.  Also I was being awakened continually by throat phlegm.  Since CPAP (6 months) my heels are normal and I'm not bothered by up-spitting phlegm.  I do have my moisture setting at 8, Tube Temp 78°, Climate Control-Manual.  Is it conceivable that the moisture intake from CPAP can affect your entire body?  When I vacation to the coast, I don't take CPAP.  No problems with sleep.  And after 3 days my heels clear up.  Maybe I don't have apnea?  Maybe I'm just allergic to dryness and juniper berries.  Whatever, CPAP takes away any sleep problems at home.  Just wonder if anyone else has these experiences?

[Crimson Nape]

Hi tlippy -
Have you ever considered moving?

[tlippy]

Hi tlippy -
Have you ever considered moving?  

Often - but can't find any place better

[Mosquitobait]

I haven't had a sinus infection in the over 3 years since I have had a cpap. I was getting them almost twice a year. I have also had significantly fewer problems with dryness on soles and heels of feet. Could be on to something there. I think the body system works better because it isn't starving for oxygen.

[chill]

Not this specific problem, I live in a rainforest   , but a number of health related issues cleared up in the two years after I started CPAP.  I blame more oxygen and better sleep.

[Fats Drywaller]

Is it conceivable that the moisture intake from CPAP can affect your entire body? 

I doubt that it's that kind of effect directly, but it's certain that getting enough oxygen throughout the body and excreting CO2 properly throughout the body will do great things for your health. For instance, consider nocturia. I had that really bad in my last several months of sleep apnea before beginning CPAP therapy: would have to get up to urinate several times during the night, four or five. The medical explanation is straightforward, having to do with the toxic CO2 buildup and its downstream (so to speak) effects. And of course you know the happy ending to that story: after being on CPAP for a month or so, and ever since, my nightly nocturia "event count" is zero, or sometimes at most one, and that one only happens if I wake up anyway for another reason, can't get back to sleep immediately, and then am signaled about a supposedly full bladder that I should go empty.

So anyway, I imagine that all that extra whizzing every night causes some dehydration, wouldn't you think? The CO2 buildup also caused acid stomach and gastric reflux, so that I would have to chew chalk tablets (good old calcium carbonate) every night. Guess what: both of those disorders are also gone 100% since being on CPAP for a while.

I was unfortunate to get a referral from my GP to a urologist who turned out to be clueless. My GP wasn't clueless, and he actually diagnosed the sleep apnea early on and sent me for a sleep study, all of which was great, and I was lucky to have his help. But the urologist was so amazingly oblivious that she didn't even mention sleep apnea or ask about it or consider it; she immediately, blindly, and knee-jerkingly prescribed tamsulosin (Flomax), which I had enough sense not to take. It was only after I had been to see her twice, with silly and useless results, and then had started CPAP treatment, that I got wise and put a stop to all that nonsense and said "Get lost." (She was actually even worse than that, thus the "Get lost", but the details are irrelevant to sleep apnea.) On CPAP, I now have none of the previous urological symptoms or gastric symptoms, and I'm very glad that I had more sense than to even begin taking the tamsulosin. The same would go for the nasty GERD drugs if I had encountered a clue-free GI specialist and had been prescribed those.

So, yeah, CPAP, given enough time, can work various wonders throughout the body. No doubt about it.

[Bwchase]

Hey, fellow central Oregonian here. Yes it is very dry here, especially this year with no snow.
Started on cpap going on three months ago.
Skin is less dry, sinus is open and clear, Very noticable especially right after removing the mask. Can feel the drying effect in a few minutes. Better sense of smell, now can tell its coffee!
Physiologically. during sleep, moisture provided to the mucous membranes in a closed system via humidifier is very effective in rehydrating and conserving moisture.
In my case nocturia disappeared starting the first night on cpap. That is after 50 plus years of getting up every night.
Waking up refreshed and seeing BP lower, more energy, well so far so good.
It has been a learning curve, lots of obstacles and choices to deal with, but more than worth it.
Even happy when I disconnect the hose and see the smiles on the display.
Move from central Oregon, no way.

[herbm]

I have trouble imagining that the breathing moisture is effective your skins -- without some study.

However, I can definitely say that my mask keeps my nasal passages open, practically never stop up at night.

This along with the fact that I must keep my mouth shut to use a nasal pillow mask (P10), means that I never end up miserable all night long from sleeping with my mouth open.

I don't get sinus drainage which was a minor problem for me without CPAP.

Most of the time, I don't even use water in my machine (last 3 years or so), but 2 nights ago, I did decide to fill the tank because it has been very dry the last few weeks.

Based on a few years ago, I'll probably do this a few weeks until the weather changes again. (E.g., we stop using heat in the house here in Texas.)

Of course, there is the "no snoring" benefit (to my wife.)

And I love the fact that my mask gives me clean fresh air even with covers pulled all the way over my head which I strongly prefer.

Simple:  I would use my machine and mask even if I were magically cured of OSA -- and even if I had to pay for it myself instead of the insurance covering it.

[tlippy]

Hey, fellow central Oregonian here. Yes it is very dry here, especially this year with no snow.
Started on cpap going on three months ago.
Skin is less dry, sinus is open and clear, Very noticable especially right after removing the mask. Can feel the drying effect in a few minutes. Better sense of smell, now can tell its coffee!
Physiologically. during sleep, moisture provided to the mucous membranes in a closed system via humidifier is very effective in rehydrating and conserving moisture.
In my case nocturia disappeared starting the first night on cpap. That is after 50 plus years of getting up every night.
Waking up refreshed and seeing BP lower, more energy, well so far so good.
It has been a learning curve, lots of obstacles and choices to deal with, but more than worth it.
Even happy when I disconnect the hose and see the smiles on the display.
Move from central Oregon, no way.

Kinda anxious to test my theory.  Going to Cabo for 2 weeks and  I won't bother with the CPAP.  I'd rather carry back Tequila than a CPAP machine.   .   
I do know my skin clears up after a week in higher humidity.