Why do I wake up from severe nose pain while using CPAP machine?”
When I got my BiPAP machine (like CPAP, but with two different air pressures) set up the first time, a technician came out to my house with a few different styles of mask to find the one that best fit my face. If your mask hasn’t been fitted to your face, it could be that it’s applying more pressure at certain points on your nose than it should. You might ask your doctor or your CPAP provider about trying a different mask. Another possibility is that you’ve been using some of the replaceable parts too long, and mold or fungus has started to grow inside. Then, when you breathe in through the mask, you’re breathing in spores. Hoses, filters, connectors, and masks each have (different) replacement schedules in order to ensure that they remain in good working order. You might want to check with your CPAP provider to find out what their suggested replacement schedules are. (You can probably get by with keeping things a little longer than they suggest, but if they say that something needs to
The CPAP can cause a drying and cooling of the lining tissues of the nose. This causes the lining to swell as it attempts to humidify and warm the air that is entering your nose. This results in more nasal blockage and can cause a “mouth leak”. This is an escape of the pressurized air provided by CPAP through the mouth. As air escapes from the mouth the fl ow provided by the CPAP machine is increased. This increase in fl ow will increase the drying of the nasal lining and will further dry the throat. This will cause a further increase in the swelling of the tissue lining the nose. This problem can be prevented or improved by: • Using a heated humidifier on your CPAP. Your physician will prescribe this. • Being sure your mask fits properly. If the mask is rubbing your skin or leaking frequently, contact your mask supplier or your physician. • Use of saline spray or gel before placing the mask on at night. You may need to use it again during the night if you awaken with a dry nose or thr
If you’re like me, you have been breathing at night for years and years through your mouth, and this is a new deal for you. I think it is the newness if you’re just starting out. This forum though, suggests your mask may be ill fitting Referencing Nasal Pillows. Nasal Pillows are a serious alternative to tradition CPAP masks. Mallinckrodt (Puritan Bennett) has 100% of the nasal pillow market. See their website at the link below for details and pictures. There are a variety of headgears and alignment devices available. A Nasal Pillow system consist of two silicone rubber seals and various equipment to hold these seals in the proper position. The Breeze system is probably the best of these positioning systems, although the Adam Circuit headgear has a large following and is easier for the beginner. The positioning of the pillow within the nare are very important to comfort and the pillow’s ability to seal. We have found that the user must be somewhat mechanically inclined to be successful
