CPAP And Sinus Infections
November 12, 2010
One of the more common complaints from CPAP users is that they are prone to sinus infections. Typically, they deal with it using saline irrigation, decongestants, and sometimes even go to their doctor for antibiotics. As a result, people suspect contamination or infection from their equipment, especially the mask, tubing or even the machine itself. Other suspects include molds, allergies or even sensitivity to their masks.
I had an experience today with a patient that makes me rethink how CPAP may aggravate nasal or sinus infections. This patient was unable to use CPAP after 4-5 days because his nose and sinuses would burn. He interpreted this as an infection. His numbers and other compliance parameters were perfect. While performing nasal endoscopy (placing a thin flexible camera in his nose) he commented that the sensation was identical to the feeling that he experienced when he used CPAP.
That got me thinking about how most cases of sinus headaches and pain have been shown to be a variation of a migraine. This is a neurologic reaction to any sort of irritation or stimulation. If you were to undergo a CAT scan during an episode, you’ll see that in most cases, it’ll be completely normal. Unfortunately, too many people end up being given oral antibiotics.
What can you do about this if you’re susceptible to these problems? Unfortunately, it’s a catch-22. In theory, the best way of handling this is to treat the underlying obstructive sleep apnea, but in this case, the treatment itself can cause nasal inflammation that can worsen sleep apnea. Many people benefit significantly by using CPAP, but there will always be a few people who absolutely can’t tolerate CPAP, no matter how hard they try to use it (different machines, settings, masks, medications, or other gadgets.)
Do you get recurrent sinus “infections” when you use your CPAP?
17 Responses to “CPAP And Sinus Infections”
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Yes I do especially during winter and cold months which usually follow by the common cold or flu and some infections treated by antibiotic. One of the best way is to have sinus cleaning with salt water to the nostril. Mouth wash diluted with water submerge the cpap humidifier containers would help for better infection and bacterias and mold control. A real refresh method figure out after a night of good cpap treatment!
I”M A C-PAP USER FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. I WASH THE EQUIPMANT FAITHFULLY EACH WEEK ,WITH HOT WATER AND A FEW OZS. OF WHITE VINEGAR AND DISH WASHING SOAP. I HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE MUCUS. I VISITED MY DR. AND WAS GIVING ANTI-BIOTIC FOUR DAYS. MY COUGH AND MUCUS. MY SINUSES ARE FULL EVERY MORNING. I SLEEP WELL EACH NIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.DURING NOV. DEC JAN. ANY SIGGESTIONS. THANK YOU.
I have exactly the same problem as Ray–just during Nov-March timeframe here in VA. Gonna see if I can get a better humidifier plus flush my sinus passages more ofen.
In the North-West I have the some prob as Ed Jackson, except when I use approved salt water solutions I get a terrific head ache?
Can anyone help?
I continue to get sinus infections off and on with my cpap. I clean it regularly and still continue to get infections. I have a coworker who is sick now and suffering with a sinus infection due to her cpap machine and she is an LPN. My husband uses a full mask cpap and seldom does he get a sinus infection. Just wondering, is there something we can put in the water to eliminate bacteria. We had an aquarium years ago, we added a supplement to the water to eliminate bacteria and to make the water clearer. Is there something we can add to the water in our cpaps to eliminate this bacteria? Just a thought. I don’t use my cpap due to getting sinus infections and I wake up tired and I am miserable, but would I rather be miserable from lack of sleep vs a sinus infection. Therefore I suffer from lack of sleep, take my 5 hour energy drink and off I go. I am very allergic to antibiotics (cillians, myacins, cipro) all the major name antibiotics. I have to result to the health food store for grapefruit seed extract and collidal silver for my antibiotics. I have been working 10 – 12 hours days and I wake up every day tired because I am afraid of using my cpap in fear of getting another sinus infection that takes a week to get rid of. Frustrated and miserable.
Last year I got a severe sinus infection after using CPAP during the cold November. It took me over a year to get back on it (now January) and after one use, I got another sinus infection and sore throat the lasts from morning to mid-afternoon. What’s bad this time is that WITHOUT the CPAP my sinuses and throat get dry each night and it takes nearly the full day to feel normal again. Been a week now and I’m almost to a point where I can sleep without waking to pain in the morning. the only residual effect is the infection has spread to my eustation tubes and it hurts for me to chew food. At first I thought I had TMJ, but I now realize it’s in my ear!
I have been using CPAP for 12 years. My first sinus infection began two weeks ago. I had switched from a mask that covers my entire nose to a nasal pillow. The nasal pillow seems to blow the air with more force than my old mask. Any correlation?
I have been using a CPAP for about two years. During this time I have continually had sinus issues with several serious sinus infections. This last one is the final straw. Call me crazy….but something else I am thinking might be linked to the CPAP is the fact that I do not sneeze. In the past month I have probably sneezed twice even when using pepper or other things to try to make me sneeze. I believe this is what causes the build up of fluid in my sinuses and ears. Anyway, I wish someone would come up with a better way to treat sleep apnea.
I too have used a CPAP for the past 12-15 years. Switching from full face mask to nasal cannula didn’t help. Dry HIPPA filters only irritates sinus membranes and the reaction is an abundance of mucus. Within the past two years I have encountered numerous sinus infections and LEFT ear infections…to the point I had the ENT put a tube in that ear, signed up for allergy shots, did the nasal irrigation thing, and even had a wisdom tooth extracted due to the pain from the sinus “weeping” into the tip end root system of the good tooth, resulting in a toothache type pain. I am considering trying the TAP III dental device to eliminate the chronic sinus/ear infections I encounter even after proper faithful cleaning of all equiptment.
I had used CPAP for 6 years. I did get occasional sinus infections. The last 2 years have had a number of sinus infections. I used distilled water in the humidifier, and clean the humidifier, tuving and mask daily. I do get frequent allergies in the spring and the fall. I use a steroid nasal spray daily. I quit my CPAP, and sleep on a wedge pillow. I did hot have problems of daytime sleepiness. My husband said only snored occasonally. I began working night shift a little over a year ago, and my sleep is all messed up! 6 months ago complained to Doctor about being tired. She insists I have another sleep study and USE the CPAP. I don’t want to go through PAINFUL sinus infedions again from CPAP ! Thanks Cathy
I’ve been using cpap for 1.5 years. Loved it at first, but started having the same symptoms as most of the posts here. My wife insisted that there has to be a connection to the cpap. I’ve NEVER had allergy problems or any kind of sensitivity to springtime pollen, etc. I just figured that as I’m getting older, maybe allergies were an additional health problem to deal with. My family doctor insisted it was allergies. A number of different allergy meds didn’t help. During one visit, he wanted to write me 4 different RX’s, and give me a steroid shot. I told him no way. My cpap doctor told me that I need to replace the tubing and the humidifier every 6 months, something I wasn’t told on the front end, was only told that the mask would last about 6 months. Upon reading all of this I realize my beloved wife is correct, it has to be from bacteria within the components. I do need to do a better job of cleaning the components, but not convinced it will solve my problem.
I just started using a CPAP live in florida so i haven’t used any water and have already had sinus problems and then i have this little nose so the mask is literly sitting on my sinsuses and moves up around my eyes but, im finding i just can’t sleep with out it and wake up feeling horrible with sinus issues. I was thinking of using water and my questions is what about putting something menthol or pepermint oil in it to help keep the sinusis clear?
I have a sinus infection right now — first one in 2 years, only 48 days after beginning CPAP therapy. PLEASE answer these, if you have any information:
1) I’m told to wash the water basin with ONLY vinegar and DISTILLED water, never a mention of dishwashing liquid. Hoses are to be washed with REGULAR water, dishwashing liquid, and white vinegar.
Question: Should I be rinsing it with distilled water when done washing/rinsing?
2) Malvin said in his post, “…mouthwash diluted with water submerge the cpap humidifier containers would help for better infection and bacterias and mold control.” I’m not sure I follow. Is he saying that, when I’m washing the basin, I should use mouthwash? That would definitely be easy for me, but I just want to know it’s safe — and that I understand HOW he’s doing that – before I try it.
THANKS!!
What is the point of having people leave responses to this article if the Dr. never responds to all of the questions? Hello Dr Park?? Are you still out there??
Perhaps these doctors don’t know as much about this as we seem to think they know and therefore have little accurate information to give?
It is up to us people. When we find a answer to a problem please follow up on your post and state what works for you so others can try it.
I don’t have the answer but I find putting shirt over my head at night during the cold months helps keep my face and sinus warmer and I wake feeling a bit better. Cutting out all sleep meds also helps, cutting out all prescription medication also ended my daily headaches.
Kevin
Mr. Russell,
Sorry, but I can’t respond to hundreds of comments and emails that I receive every month personally, especially for medically related questions. This is why I have my monthly teleseminars where you can ask me in a live group setting.
I started cpap in May 2012-my sinus infection started in late June of that year and has lasted on & off until the present time. I use a full face mask covering both nose and mouth, but rarely can breath thru my nose for more than a few minutes. I clean masks and machine daily and only use distilled water in it. How do I rid myself of this constant sinus infection? My PCP has prescribed various antibiotics and I have tried every over-the-counter nasal decongestant available. The only relief i can get is by using Afrin every 4-5 hrs, but my Dr. says that isn’t a good idea. Somebody please recommend another therapy!!!
I just started using cpap mask two weeks ago and i hate it first i broke out in sores all over my face where my mask lays and i have had 2 sinus infections already in bed with second one know this one is worse than the first one i have called doctor no responce called respiratory therapist and he says call for a new mask. Last night my bf said he noticed a strange odor coming from machine anyone else ever experienced
Any odors? This is so not what i was expected…