While we all associate summer with playful and fun times, winter is all about low temperatures, woven turtlenecks and cold or flu symptoms. And while many people tend to manege the cold and flu symptoms easily, those who suffer from sleep apnea find it very difficult. This because wearing a CPAP mask with a stuffy nose or nasal congestion can be very irritating, making the CPAP treatment impossible. However, interrupting a CPAP treatment under these circumstances can make things even worst. So the big question is: how to handle a CPAP treatment while having a cold or flu?
Most CPAP masks cover the nasal area, meaning that the patients need to breathe only through their nose. Since nasal congestion during a cold or flu can affect the breathing, it is very difficult for the patients to wear a nasal mask. Opting for a full face respirator mask instead of a nasal mask is the most obvious solution for this problem. A full face respirator mask allows breathing through the mouth while ensuring the effectiveness of the CPAP treatment.
When we experience cold or flu symptoms, our nasal passages tend to become dry with swollen mucous membranes and lot of phlegm build up. When it comes to dryness, using a heated humidifier can keep the moisture level. Such humidifier helps a lot, and makes the air more comfortable for breathing, allowing the patients to sleep easily during the night.
Furthermore, runny nose is one of the most annoying flu or cold symptoms, which can make people who sleep with a full face respirator mask to fell claustrophobic. As a solution for that, patients can count on decongestants and nasal sprays that are specifically made to clear the congestion which is caused by the common cold or flu.
We all know that cold and flu symptoms cannot be avoided during the winter days, but luckily we can do a lot of thing to prevent serious complications. For example, instead of using regular towels, where the flu virus can live for hours, use paper towels to dry you mask after cleaning. Also, disinfect your full face respirator mask regularly. And in order to prevent mold growth and build-up of harmful bacterias, use distilled water for your humidifier chamber.
