Tips for Adjusting Your CPAP Supplies During Allergy Season

Just like everybody, many people have problems with allergies during the relevant season, or more precisely they have problems with wearing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks used for sleep apnea therapy. Allergies lead to problems like the blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and sinus pressure making it very uncomfortable to use gears like the CPAP equipment. Pliable nasal pillows are comfortable for most patients with allergies; however, one should make sure to correctly fit their CPAP equipment for effective therapy and getting a good night’s sleep during allergy season. Here are some tips to help you deal with this rather challenging seasonal problem.

 

 1. Use a Heated Humidifier

 Heated humidifier in the course of the allergy season is an important accessory together with your CPAP equipment. Also, it provides additional humidity to the air that is supplied by your CPAP device and alleviate the discomfort or manifestations of allergic rhinitis such as nasal dryness. The warm and moist air also create additional benefits in that stinging of inflamed nasal tissues are reduced from warm, moist air. Make sure the tank of the humidifier is refilled with distilled water and set the desired level of the humidity. Find out a suitable combination regimen that will not interfere with your comfort level in streams of consciousness.

 

 2. Maintenance of Sleep Apnea Equipment

 Cleaning of the used CPAP supplies is always recommended and needs to be done more often during the allergy season. These allergens include pollen, dust and other materials that may clinge on the mask, tubing and filter part of the unit and will in turn worsen the effects of allergy. Wash the mask, tubing and the chamber of the humidifier with warm water and mild soap every day. It is advisable that all the parts should be left to dry on their own before the assembly is continued. Change your CPAP filters from time to time as this will help in enhancing its functionality and at the same time minimize on allergens.

 

 3. Consider a Full-Face Mask

 If you are a nasal mask or nasal pillows user, changing is a full-face mask might be helpful during the allergy season. Breathing exclusively through the nostrils becomes challenging when one has a congested nose, and therefore a full-face mask enables one to breathe through nose and mouth. This can enable shorten the breakdown of CPAP therapy even in areas of worse congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose. Talk to your CPAP provider to get a full-face mask that is comfortable to wear and that will not shift or slide off during the night.

 

 4. Limit the Use of Nasal Sprays with a CPAP Machine

 Some non-prescription medicines that are used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies such as nasal sprays that assist in clearing the nasal passage would be useful in managing this condition and thereby improve the client’s comfort in handling the CPAP supplies. Nasal drops can also ease stress by washing the buildings containing allergens and maintaining a healthy moist secretion in the nasal system. Use topical nasal drops very carefully, particularly sprays because they come with an adverse effect of leading to inflammation for those who use it for many days. It is always advised to seek medical advice before integrating a new supplement to the everyday regimen.

 

 5. Adjust Your CPAP Pressure Settings

Seasonal changes also bring changes in allergy which may force you to change your CPAP pressure settings for some time. Nasal congestion could mean that there is more build-up in your airways making you need a higher pressure for the therapy to work. If you are a user of an auto-adjusting Type of CPAP called APAP, then the machine adjusts the pressure for you. Nevertheless, if you have a fixed-pressure CPAP, you may need to seek the opinion of your sleep doctor on the settings.

 

 6. Ensure Your Sleep Area Does Not Have Any Allergens

 Transforming your bedroom into an allergen-free zone can go a long way in enhancing your comfort even when in contact with equipment such as the CPAP supplies. Allergen-proof covers for pillows and mattress should be used and the bedding should be washed frequently using hot water. Do not open the windows during periods of high pollen production and use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Sweep or vacuum your bedroom at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to help get rid of dust and pet dander.

 

 7. Supervise Allergy Symptoms and Their Prognosis

 Since allergy can easily influence the process of your therapy with CPAP, it is important to manage the signs effectively. Discuss with your doctor all the needed steps as to how you are going to deal with this problem, so your plan may include such things as medications, shots, and other changes required in your daily life. Overall, it is possible to maintain positive/outlet management of allergic diseases and limit their interference with sleep and an individual’s well-being.

 

 Conclusion

The following tips will help you change your CPAP supplies and apply some changes to your sleep apnea therapy plan in order to enjoy the allergy season and get good night’s sleep. The warmer air in the humidified water of a heated humidifier helps maintain a cleaner equipment, and wearing a full-face mask along with utilizing CPAP-friendly nasal sprays reduces the chances of allergens entering your airways during sleep, fundamental changes in the pressure settings can help control allergy’s effects on your CPAP therapy, an allergen-free sleep environment, and proper management of allergy symptoms help to eliminate interference with treatment. Following the aforementioned tips, patients can sustain the positive effects of using a CPAP device and sleep soundly even during the worst of allergy seasons.