cpapshop.com.au

Why do I need a humidifier?

Why do I need a humidifier?

Up to 40% of CPAP users experience nasal congestion and dryness of the nose and throat. These symptoms can be severe enough to prevent patients from continuing their treatment. Humidifiers provide moisture and warmth to the air delivered by a CPAP or bilevel system. This reduces symptoms of dryness and congestion, improving patient comfort and compliance. Research also shows that nasal resistance can promote mouth breathing, which in turn leads to additional dryness. Heated humidification can prevent the large increase in nasal resistance that results in mouth breathing and leaks.

Consider, for a moment , a moist surface that has air blowing over the top of it. That surface will dry out as the air moves over it. This is the same effect that is occuring in the nasal passages of a CPAP user without a humidifier. The air will strip off moisture and unless more moisture is added the nasal passages dry out and may become inflamed.

Humidifiers come in 3 main types:

1. Stane alone

A Stand alone humidifier is a component that will work with any CPAP and does not attach directly to the CPAP. It uses its own power cord a small hose is used to connect it to the CPAP.

Advantages: superior humidity, large volume water chamber, can be used with any CPAP machine

Disadvantages: Large size, more power cords, more hoses, higher price

An example of a Stand Alone Humidifier is Fisher and Paykel's HC150

2. Built In

Built In humidifiers come as part of the CPAP system and cannot be removed. There are no extra cords or tubing.

Advantages : lowest cost, small size, less parts, no extra cords/hoses

Disadvantages : lower output (due to smaller chamber size), combined unit means that if the humifidifier stops working the whole machine needs to be sent back for repair, unit cannot be made smaller for travelling

An example of a Built In Humidifier is Fisher and Paykel's  HC608

3. Integrated

An Integrated humidifier is designed to fit into a specific CPAP model. This means that there are no extra cords or hoses. 

Advantages: Low cost, small size, less parts, no extra cords/hoses, can be disconnected if not required

Disadvantages : Lower output (due to smaller chamber size), designed to fit only a specific model CPAP machine

An example of an Integrated Humidifier is Resmed's H4i