Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCPAP and Nasal CongestionTaking a CPAP BreakModifications With a ColdHow to Clean Your CPAP
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
CPAP and Nasal Congestion
Taking a CPAP Break
Modifications With a Cold
How to Clean Your CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) machines are an effective treatment forsleep apnea, but the therapy may not be as effective if you have a cold, flu, or respiratory infection.
In some cases, using a CPAP with a stuffy nose may make it even more difficult to breathe. The CPAP mask can also become contaminated with bacteria, increasing the risk of a secondary infection.
Taking a break from CPAP therapy when you have a cold is generally safe. But if you choose to keep using your CPAP while sick, there are a few things you can do to improve your experience.
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CPAP machines are meant to provide you with a pressurized stream of air to prevent airway obstruction in your lungs. However, the CPAP cannot work effectively if you have a respiratory illness that impedes your breathing.
Upper respiratory infections such as the common cold or influenza may make it more difficult to use CPAP. Similar to what occurs with allergies, the nose may become congested, stuffed up, and runny. A stuffy nose may make it hard to breathe with the machine if you use a nasal mask.
The discharge of mucus can also contaminate the CPAP mask, especially if you usenasal pillows. Studies suggest that there is a risk of secondary infection if microorganisms are allowed to breed and multiply on a contaminated mask.
The flow of air may also cause irritation if you have a sore throat and provoke coughing spells. Each time you cough, opening the mouth may make the incoming pressure all the more uncomfortable.
Reasons to Take a Break From CPAP
As a general rule, it is fine totake a break from using CPAPif you have a cold or stuffy nose. There will be no major side effects of abruptly stopping therapy.
You may find that you have a residual benefit from the treatment, even several days into the break. This is because the inflammation and swelling of the tissues in the upper airway will take time to become affected again.
These are some of the other reasons why you may consider giving CPAP a break:
Ear Infections
There may be some pressure changes, but these are usually so minor that you may barely notice. Mucus will not be forced along these tubes and worsen the symptoms of ear infection.
If you decide that your symptoms require a break from CPAP use, this is OK. Try to get back to treatment soon as you recover from the cold.
How to Use CPAP With a Stuffy Nose
If you decide to continue using your CPAP when your nose is congested, you may find it helpful to use interventions or treatments to make it more tolerable.
Some people actually like to use CPAP during a cold, especially if there is not a lot of nasal discharge. The heated and humidified air may add comfort and relief.
This pressurized air may also move mucus along the nasal passage and decrease congestion. If you can use it for a few minutes, you will notice that it becomes easier to breathe as the nasal area opens up.
There are also medications that can ease symptoms while using CPAP, including decongestants and cold and flu remedies.
Saline Spray or Rinse
An over-the-countersaline sprayis inexpensive and effective. It can be used as often as you need it and will moisten the lining of the nose. It may also be helpful to rinse the nasal sinuses during a cold with aneti pot.
Nasal Decongestants
Afrin (oxymetazoline) spraymay provide relief, but it should not be used too frequently for too long a period due to the risk ofrebound congestion.Other prescription medications may relieve chronic congestion related to allergies, includingnasal steroid sprayssuch asFlonase, Nasacort, Rhinocort, Nasonex, Patanase, and Astelin.
Cold and Flu Medications
Consider the use of medications that target cold and flu symptoms. In particular,antihistamineslike Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may provide relief and improve sleep.
In addition, Mucinex (guaifenesin) may thin the mucus and help to clear it out. If the problem is due to a cough, cough suppressants like cough syrup or throat lozenges may be an effective treatment on the side.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Cold and Flu Symptoms
Heated Humidifier and Tubing
It is best to use the CPAP’s humidifier, especially when you have a cold or nasal congestion. This reduces irritation and inflammation along the airway.
Research suggests that a heated humidifier also reduces the risk and duration of infections. To minimize the risk of condensation and bacterial build-up in CPAP tubing, use heated tubing.
Full-Face Mask
In some cases, it is simply impossible to use a nasal mask due to a cold or nasal congestion. This may be more likely if you have adeviated nasal septumblocking one side of your nose. In such cases, consider the use of a full-face mask.
A full-face mask allows breathing to occur via either the nose or mouth. In some cases, the full-face mask can be used temporarily. As nasal breathing improves, it is possible to switch back to a nasal or nasal pillow mask.
How to Choose a CPAP Mask
Positional Therapy
Pressure Changes or Auto-CPAP
When the nose is more obstructed, additional CPAP pressure may be required. This airflow may open things up. Consider reaching out to your healthcare provider to have the pressure adjusted, if needed.
How to Clean Your CPAP Machine
During and after your cold, it is important to be diligent about cleaning the CPAP mask, tubing, and humidifier tank:
CPAP Cleaning Step-By-Step
You don’t have to worry about reinfecting yourself with a cold or flu virus when using CPAP; the chance of reinfection is unlikely. In most cases, it’s unnecessary to use a CPAP sanitizer (such as the SoClean device, which retails for $299).
With that said, unsanitized CPAP equipment can cause infections unrelated to a cold or flu. This is especially true with respect to bacterial infections likeacute bacterialrhinosinusitisorbacterial pneumonia, particularly in people with compromised immune systems.
Summary
While it is usually fine to take a break from CPAP therapy if you are sick with a cold or respiratory infection, it’s still wise to check with your healthcare provider first.
Some people find that using the CPAP when sick is helpful, while others benefit from OTC medication, humidifiers, and other strategies to breathe easier. As always, make sure to clean your CPAP routinely to protect yourself from infection.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mercieca L, Pullicino R, Camilleri K, et al.Continuous positive airway pressure: is it a route for infection in those with obstructive sleep apnoea?Sleep Sci.2017;10(1):28-34. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20170005Yu CC, Luo CM, Liu YC, Wu HP.The effects of heated humidifier in continuous positive airway pressure titration.Sleep Breath. 2013;17(1):133‐138. doi:10.1007/s11325-012-0661-yDokuyucu R, Gokce H, Sahan M, et al.Systemic side effects of locally used oxymetazoline.Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(2):2674-8.Nilius G, Domanski U, Schroeder M, Woehrle H, Graml A, Franke KJ.Mask humidity during CPAP: Influence of ambient temperature, heated humidification and heated tubing.J Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 May;2018(1):135-142. doi:10.2147/NSS.S158856Su VY, Liu CJ, Wang HK, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of pneumonia: a nationwide population-based study.CMAJ.2014;186(6):415-21. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131547
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mercieca L, Pullicino R, Camilleri K, et al.Continuous positive airway pressure: is it a route for infection in those with obstructive sleep apnoea?Sleep Sci.2017;10(1):28-34. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20170005Yu CC, Luo CM, Liu YC, Wu HP.The effects of heated humidifier in continuous positive airway pressure titration.Sleep Breath. 2013;17(1):133‐138. doi:10.1007/s11325-012-0661-yDokuyucu R, Gokce H, Sahan M, et al.Systemic side effects of locally used oxymetazoline.Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(2):2674-8.Nilius G, Domanski U, Schroeder M, Woehrle H, Graml A, Franke KJ.Mask humidity during CPAP: Influence of ambient temperature, heated humidification and heated tubing.J Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 May;2018(1):135-142. doi:10.2147/NSS.S158856Su VY, Liu CJ, Wang HK, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of pneumonia: a nationwide population-based study.CMAJ.2014;186(6):415-21. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131547
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mercieca L, Pullicino R, Camilleri K, et al.Continuous positive airway pressure: is it a route for infection in those with obstructive sleep apnoea?Sleep Sci.2017;10(1):28-34. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20170005Yu CC, Luo CM, Liu YC, Wu HP.The effects of heated humidifier in continuous positive airway pressure titration.Sleep Breath. 2013;17(1):133‐138. doi:10.1007/s11325-012-0661-yDokuyucu R, Gokce H, Sahan M, et al.Systemic side effects of locally used oxymetazoline.Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(2):2674-8.Nilius G, Domanski U, Schroeder M, Woehrle H, Graml A, Franke KJ.Mask humidity during CPAP: Influence of ambient temperature, heated humidification and heated tubing.J Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 May;2018(1):135-142. doi:10.2147/NSS.S158856Su VY, Liu CJ, Wang HK, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of pneumonia: a nationwide population-based study.CMAJ.2014;186(6):415-21. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131547
Mercieca L, Pullicino R, Camilleri K, et al.Continuous positive airway pressure: is it a route for infection in those with obstructive sleep apnoea?Sleep Sci.2017;10(1):28-34. doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20170005
Yu CC, Luo CM, Liu YC, Wu HP.The effects of heated humidifier in continuous positive airway pressure titration.Sleep Breath. 2013;17(1):133‐138. doi:10.1007/s11325-012-0661-y
Dokuyucu R, Gokce H, Sahan M, et al.Systemic side effects of locally used oxymetazoline.Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(2):2674-8.
Nilius G, Domanski U, Schroeder M, Woehrle H, Graml A, Franke KJ.Mask humidity during CPAP: Influence of ambient temperature, heated humidification and heated tubing.J Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 May;2018(1):135-142. doi:10.2147/NSS.S158856
Su VY, Liu CJ, Wang HK, et al.Sleep apnea and risk of pneumonia: a nationwide population-based study.CMAJ.2014;186(6):415-21. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131547
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