Dry mouth problems with CPAP

by Elizabeth J.
(Washington)

The following question is often asked by CPAP users who have dry mouth problems while using the CPAP usage:

I have been using the cpap machine for a while and it has been drying out my mouth and throat.

I have a lot of allergy problems and I'm wondering if there is a way to fix the drying out problem.

Answer


Dry mouth in patients with CPAP is a very common problem. This is happening due to mouth breathing if you use nasal mask or nasal pillows, or if you have a high leak rate.

Too high of a leak rate can reduce PAP therapy effectiveness. Too high a leak rate can also cause the need for higher PAP pressure than if Leaks were under control. BiPAPs can compensate for some leak but they have their compensatory limits.

If you are using a nasal mask or pillows, you might try a chinstrap or change to a Full Face Mask.

Speaking for a woman who probably likes as little on the face as possible - I can recommend the full face mask Mirage Liberty by ResMed.

Make sure to scroll down the page and click on the videos which show how they seat on the face!

I highly recommend you visit your local home healthcare supplier - see it, try it on - take your machine with you if possible so you can try this and other full face masks on WITH machine set to your pressure. Sometimes, the suppliers have machines there that they can set to your pressure to help when trying on masks - call em and ask first.

Only YOU will be able to know what feels and fits best on your face, and you have to decide by trying them on in person!

Do you have an integrated, heated humidifier with your CPAP? Have you adjusted the settings on that humidifier? Some nights you may need more humidity than another.

There is a special product for CPAP users with dry mouth problems, too. You can learn more about how to avoid dry mouth problems on this link.

I hope it helps!

If you have other experiences and opinions regarding this problem, please comment below.

Remy Thierry
Founder of Sleep Apnea Guide

Comments for Dry mouth problems with CPAP

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Aug 24, 2016
Rating
star 		control dry mouth
by: E. Marten

using a chin stap,add a piece of cloth to the chinstrap top so it cover the mouth. this works better than tapeing the mouth. andis safer, and more comfortable.
May 07, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Glycerine for dry mouth
by: Ellen

I have used biotene successfully but a nurse friend suggested a less expensive alternative - glycerine. You can find it in grocery stores and it is a lot less expensive than commercial products. Only use a tiny bit as it tastes very sweet.

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