01 Nov Should You Use CPAP Devices Toronto When You Have a Cold?
If you have a cold you may be wondering if you should continue to use CPAP devices Toronto or whether you should stop your CPAP therapy temporarily. When your nose gets congested, you have a cough and your throat is sore, will using a CPAP device make you feel worse instead of better?
In many cases you may end up feeling worse if you use CPAP devices Toronto when you have a lot of congestion. CPAP machines have been designed to work by offering pressurized air to prevent the obstruction of your airways when your lungs are functioning normally. This type of therapy doesn’t work as effectively when you have a respiratory illness.
When you have the flu or a common cold you may find it much more difficult to use your CPAP machine. You may find it harder to take breaths when wearing a nasal mask and using the device. As well, the mask can get contaminated with the accumulation of extra mucus that you are producing. This is especially true if you are using a mask that is commonly known as a nasal pillow. If your mask gets contaminated the germs may start to multiply on the mask, which may trigger the onset of a secondary infection.
You may find that your sore throat gets more irritated as well with the constant flow of air that is being provided by CPAP devices Toronto. If you have a cough with your cold, you may find it very uncomfortable when you’re coughing and the air is pushing into your lungs.
You should check with your doctor but in most cases it’s fine to stop using CPAP devices Toronto if you have a stuffy nose or a cold. There have been no side effects reported from stopping this type of therapy abruptly when necessary.
Times When You Might Want to Consider Taking a Break from CPAP Therapy Toronto
When you aren’t feeling well for the following reasons you may want to consider taking a break from your CPAP therapy Toronto on a temporary basis:
- Coughing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sore throat
- Nosebleeds
- Runny nose
- Ear pain
- Nasal congestion
- Ear pressure
- Shortness of breath
You can certainly try to use your CPAP machine if you are only experiencing mild symptoms of any of the above health issues. In some cases CPAP therapy Toronto can bring relief to nasal congestion. The pressure may help to open up your nasal passages by clearing away some of the mucus.
CPAP Therapy Toronto and Ear Infections
Fortunately, the air pressure released from CPAP devices Toronto doesn’t make its way into the inner ear through the eustachian tube. For this reason, ear infections are not usually worsened by the CPAP therapy Toronto. If you do try using the machine and find that your ears start to feel worse, you may want to stop the treatment temporarily and get in touch with your physician.
Sometimes CPAP Machines Toronto Can Help with a Cold
If you are only experiencing minor nasal discharge you may find that using CPAP machines Toronto can help to alleviate some of the symptoms. In certain situations the release of the pressurized air can force the mucus to travel along your nasal passages, which may help to lower the amount of congestion you are experiencing. If you find you are breathing is easier when you have a minor cold with the unit, you can continue to use the machine but be sure to clean it very well in the morning.
Natural Ways to Decongest Your Nose
When you have a stuffy nose it can be very uncomfortable and stop you from sleeping. There are ways to decongest your nose using natural methods that may help. If you can get your nose decongested you may also be able to use CPAP machines Toronto during the night to get a good night’s sleep.
You can try using a nasal saline solution, which is a home therapy that has been used for thousands of years. Many people find that using a neti-pot with a saline solution offers immediate relief for a congested nose. Saline is poured from the spout of the pot into one nostril and then the liquid comes out the other nostril. Squeeze bottles can also be used to achieve the same effect.
You can also try eating something very spicy to see if it clears up your nasal passages. You may have noticed in the past that when you ate spicy foods your nose would run naturally. You may find that eating something hot and spicy will help your nose drain and provide much-needed relief. Just be sure that you have some tissues handy before reaching for the spicy food.
There are a lot of essential oils such as peppermint oil and Eucalyptus oil that may help with your nasal inflammation. You’ll need to do some research to find out what essential oils you should try and then see if they help. You can usually purchase Eucalyptus oil in your local pharmacy.
Another thing to try is humming. There have been a lot of studies showing that humming can make you more relaxed and can dilate the blood vessels located in your lungs to help you breathe in more oxygen.
When you’re using CPAP machines Toronto and you have a cold it’s okay to try using the machine to see if that helps at all. If it doesn’t, it’s also okay to stop your therapy temporarily with the okay from your physician. You may have to use some trial and error to find out what is best for you when you aren’t feeling well and suffering from cold symptoms.
Find out more about CPAP devices Toronto and get helpful information regarding sleep apnea treatments and CPAP accessories by visiting our website now at cpapmachinestore.ca. You can feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all about getting a new machine or about the device you are currently using.