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+--- Thread: BiPAP advisable with a cold? (/Thread-BiPAP-advisable-with-a-cold)
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BiPAP advisable with a cold? - BobbieM - 06-13-2021
Is it advisable to keep using the BiPAP machine at night with a cold and runny nose? I’ve read conflicting views on the best thing to do including switching to a full face mask. Is there any consensus on this at all?
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - Cpapian - 06-13-2021
When I had pneumonia it aggravated my coughing. I discontinued my APAP and slept in a chair. Sleeping was pretty fitful anyways. With a normal cold I continued usage throughout.
The point is to get the best sleep you can so your body can heal. Do what works best for you, it's only a few nights.
You might try a nasal rinse before bed. I use Dr Neil? Sold in most drugstores about $20 cdn. It helps to clear your sinuses so you can get to sleep. Then breathing through the nose helps to keep the sinuses clear for a while.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - sheepless - 06-13-2021
my view is always use the cpap or suffer the same consequences as before cpap. some people don't notice the difference but typically the best case result of not using the machine is feeling sick and tired. idk how common or rare it is but every once in a while I read or hear about someone falling asleep at the wheel or worse, actually dying in their sleep from apnea. otoh, I've never heard of harm from papping with congestion so I assume the problem is simply how to do it if one's nose is plugged up. in more than 4 years there's only been one time when my resmed p10 nasal pillow mask failed to break through my congestion and in retrospect I realize I didn't give it long enough to do so that time. while I've never had a ffm, it's a good alternative because it lets you breathe through your mouth. temporarily raising pressure and experimenting with different humidity settings may help. many people successfully use decongestants as well. but most people get away with a few days off now and again so it's really a matter of your comfort level, finding ways to work around it, or accepting the very small but real risk of going without.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - Sleeprider - 06-13-2021
I have never stopped using CPAP for a cold, or worse. It actually makes things tolerable. Any respiratory illness will make it harder to breathe, and the idea you would choose that moment to stop using the aid that keeps you breathing at night is hard to imagine.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - BobbieM - 06-13-2021
Thanks. It makes sense especially as it’s just the common cold not even flu. I read somewhere that I will be “recycling” my germs. But I wash the mask every day. Perhaps I should also wash the tube daily until the sniffles get better. I had not thought of a nasal rinse. Will try that out.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - SarcasticDave94 - 06-13-2021
The hose is not likely to get contaminated from you during a cold. There's likely enough air movement to keep anything from traveling against the airflow in the hose.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - Sleeprider - 06-13-2021
You can't give yourself a worse infection using CPAP. The air exchange rate of a CPAP is about 5-times your respiratory volume, so not only do you not re-breathe exhaled air, it is vented far more than if you did not have the flow and pressure. CPAP actually poses an infection risk to others because it disperses virus particles much farther than a sleeping person. This was a major reason CPAP and more advanced respiratory assist devices were rejected as COVID therapies. CPAP can help you to relieve congestion and improve respiration when you need it most.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - DaveL - 06-13-2021
This is a wonderful post. I've learned a lot.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - OpalRose - 06-13-2021
No reason to hesitate using your Cpap when suffering with a cold. It will help tremendously, as it will cut through all the congestion and actually help you breathe better.
RE: BiPAP advisable with a cold? - BobbieM - 06-14-2021
Thanks. That’s useful to know.