Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy treats obstructive sleep apnea by delivering pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. When CPAP users develop a cold, flu, or severe allergies, they often worry if continuing treatment is possible with a congested nose. For most mild illnesses, maintaining CPAP therapy is recommended and can support a faster recovery. Skipping therapy can lead to a return of sleep apnea symptoms, such as fatigue, which hinders the body’s ability to fight infection. This article provides practical steps for managing CPAP use during illness and outlines when stopping treatment becomes necessary.
Navigating CPAP Use with Respiratory Congestion
Congestion is the most common challenge CPAP users face during illness, as pressurized air struggles to move through inflamed nasal passages. Utilizing the machine’s heated humidifier is the most effective immediate adjustment. The warm, moist air can soothe irritated airways and help thin mucus, making breathing easier. Users should increase the humidity setting incrementally to prevent nasal dryness without causing excessive condensation, known as “rainout,” in the tubing. Heated tubing helps by maintaining the air temperature as it travels to the mask, further preventing condensation.
If severe nasal congestion makes breathing through the nose impossible, a temporary switch from a nasal mask or nasal pillows to a full-face mask should be considered. A full-face mask covers both the nose and mouth, ensuring pressurized air reaches the airway even if the user must mouth-breathe due to blockage. This allows the user to maintain the prescribed therapy pressure without struggling against a blocked nose. Using over-the-counter saline nasal sprays or rinses before bed can also help clear nasal passages and improve the tolerability of the mask interface.
Essential Sanitation During Illness
Meticulous sanitation is necessary when using a CPAP machine while sick to prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses within the equipment. The warm, moist environment of the humidifier chamber and tubing is an ideal breeding ground for pathogens, requiring increased cleaning frequency. During illness, the mask, tubing, and humidifier water chamber should be cleaned daily, rather than following the usual weekly schedule.
Use mild soap and warm water for cleaning the mask and tubing, ensuring all mucus and residue are removed. The humidifier chamber should be emptied every morning, washed thoroughly with soap and water, rinsed well, and allowed to air dry completely before the next use. Always use distilled water in the chamber to prevent mineral buildup, which can also harbor microorganisms. Replacing disposable air filters after recovering from the illness is also a wise precaution, as they may have trapped contagious particles.
Recognizing Symptoms That Require Stopping CPAP
While continuing CPAP is usually beneficial, certain symptoms indicate the therapy should be temporarily paused, and a physician consulted immediately. Severe nausea or vomiting poses a serious risk of aspiration, where stomach contents could be inhaled while wearing the mask, making use unsafe. If the user experiences a high fever accompanied by extreme weakness, or is physically unable to tolerate the mask or pressurized air, a temporary break may be necessary.
Severe nosebleeds can make CPAP use impractical and uncomfortable, as the air pressure may exacerbate the bleeding and contaminate the equipment. If a user develops severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or a cough that significantly worsens despite adjustments, they should discontinue use and seek medical advice, as these may signal a more serious respiratory infection. Stopping therapy for one or two nights due to acute illness is acceptable. However, if the break extends beyond a few days, the prescribing physician or sleep specialist must be contacted to discuss safely resuming treatment.