What Is A CPAP Humidifier: Different Types, Settings & More

Humidification alleviates nasal and throat dryness and facilitates a more comfortable breathing experience during sleep by adding moisture to the air you breathe.

This comprehensive guide from ApriaDirect will teach you everything you need to know about the CPAP humidifier. From CPAP humidifier settings and different types to pros and cons and more.

The nasal cavity helps to condition the air we breathe before it reaches the lungs by acting as a heat exchanger, warming air to the optimum temperature for better breathing. Air is drier in the winter because of the season. Certain climates, especially in colder weather, cause the air to dry out, which can cause breathing discomfort. For CPAP users, the constant pressurized cold and dry air into the airways can be highly uncomfortable.

The nasal passages need to work harder to warm and humidify the air before it enters the lungs; this can cause an extraordinarily dry mouth, nose, and throat.

Aside from climate dryness, CPAP devices commonly leave users susceptible to dry mouth. About 40% of CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP users experience dry mouth. The symptoms of dry mouth include congestion, coughing, sneezing, puffiness, dizziness, migraines, bad breath, allergies, sinus infections, sickness, nose bleeds, and uncomfortable inflammation.

Modern PAP systems feature either inbuilt or detachable humidifiers to alleviate this. This comprehensive guide from ApriaDirect will teach you everything you need to know about the CPAP humidifier. From CPAP humidifier settings and different types to pros and cons and more.

What Is A CPAP Humidifier?

Humidification is an integral part of successful Positive Airway Pressure therapy, and CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP systems are all built with that in mind. Some models feature in-built humidifiers, while others feature a connection for a separate humidifier attachment. Adding moisture to the CPAP airflow alleviates nasal discomfort caused by the dryness of the CPAP air, no matter what the climate conditions.

While some humidifiers are designed only for use with one machine, others may be used with a wide range of devices. The humidifier's efficacy as a CPAP treatment accessory depends on its compatibility with your specific CPAP machine. It is recommended that you consult the user manual or contact your supplier or device manufacturer to verify your purchase.

What Does The Humidifier Do On A CPAP Machine?

Breathing requires water, however counterintuitive it may seem. Breathing alone contributes to a daily water loss of around 30 - 60 ounces on average. To properly absorb oxygen and expel the carbon dioxide that air provides, your lungs require constant hydration.

When airflow is increased, the nasal airway is sometimes unable to keep the air warm and humid enough for comfort. Humidification alleviates nasal and throat dryness and facilitates a more comfortable breathing experience during sleep by adding moisture to the air you breathe.

During CPAP treatment, the machine will humidify the air and transfer it to the mask through specified tubing. A humidifier adds moisture to the forced air coming in from your machine. Humidifiers for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are designed to replenish the moisture in the nasal passages lost during CPAP treatment, thereby alleviating and reducing symptoms of dryness.

What Are The Different Types Of CPAP Humidifiers?

A CPAP humidifier may humidify the air in one of three ways. The three categories include:

• Passover humidifier

• Heated humidifier

• Waterless humidifier

When humidification is used in conjunction with CPAP treatment, patients report higher compliance rates. This is likely because of the decreased discomfort they experience while using the device and the energy levels they experience upon awakening.

Passover Humidifier

With passover humidification, air is passed over a chamber containing water at room temperature, picking up moisture and then sending it via a tube to the user's mask and airway. Passover humidification often delivers lower pressure and is used in combination with heated CPAP tubing.

Heated Humidifier

Humidifiers with heating elements are the most common kind available today. Humidifiers with a heated water chamber often feature a hot plate located directly below the water chamber, heating and humidifying the water gradually. In most CPAP machines, the heated humidifier is an interchangeable accessory that requires daily refills of distilled water.

Pressurized air from the room is drawn through the CPAP system and humidifier, sending the humidity onward to your nasal passages, trachea, and lungs.

Waterless Humidifier

Like conventional humidification methods, waterless humidification devices don't require additional equipment or resources. As an alternative, it employs innovative Heat and Moisture Exchange (HME) technology to convert exhaled air into inhaled air that is warmer, more humid and provides a more natural breathing experience.

Tiny paper ridges in the HME absorb and retain heat and moisture from the patient's exhaled air. This heat and humidity are inhaled, making for a pleasant night's sleep.

CPAP Humidifier Settings

Some humidifiers can only be operated automatically, while others also include manual settings. Your humidifier's user manual will help you adjust the controls if you're experiencing trouble. Always consult your physician before deciding on the optimal settings for your humidifier.

Adjustable CPAP humidifier features include humidity levels, water temperature, and tubing temperature so that the equipment can be customized to the user and their therapy specifications.

Adjusting the humidity level is model-specific. Modifying the humidity to meet the needs of a patient's specific therapy regimen is important. It's essential to have comfortably breathable air without too much moisture.

Some humidifiers will also allow you to adjust the water temperature. You can decide whether your humidifier distributes warmer or cooler air. Warmer air is thought to be more effective in reducing dryness. However, if you are sleeping in a particularly heated environment, you may find that cooler air is preferable.

In certain models, you can change the tube's temperature independently of the water tank. This is useful if you find that increasing the humidity alone doesn't resolve the dryness issue. Insulated tube covering is an added feature that helps retain heat for longer periods.

Seasonal CPAP Humidifier Adjustments

In addition to alleviating the discomforts associated with dry air and the common cold, CPAP humidifiers may also be utilized to alleviate other issues such as dry mouth, nose bleeds, sinus infections, inflammation, etc. Getting the most out of your humidifier requires making some little adjustments as the seasons change.

CPAP Humidifier Settings During Winter

When breathing, our nose moisturizes and warms the air, so when it enters our lungs, it matches our body’s moisture and warmth levels. In winter, when the air is dry and cool, increased airflow during CPAP therapy can overwhelm your body's ability to humidify the air, which leads to very dry airways.

Humidity levels should typically be set such that they are highest in the winter, lowest in the summer, and somewhere in the middle in the fall and springtime. It is recommended by CPAP manufacturers that you use distilled water in your humidifier to avoid the build-up of mineral deposits. Use bottled water instead if you don't have access to distilled water. During winter, some models will allow you to preheat water chambers before use.

CPAP Humidifier Settings In Summer

In the summer, when the air is significantly warmer than in the winter, most CPAP users won't need to use a humidifier. However, a CPAP machine humidifier could be beneficial for colder indoor temperatures and seasonal allergies. The use of a humidifier also depends heavily on the preferences and humidity requirements of the patient.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A CPAP Humidifier?

CPAP equipment becomes instrumental in successful therapy following a sleep apnea diagnosis. There are several advantages to combining your treatment with a humidifier, but there are also a few drawbacks. Consider the pros and cons of using a CPAP machine with a humidifier feature before making a final choice.

Pros:

• CPAP humidification can provide a more comfortable and natural breathing experience for CPAP users.

• Humidification can help you avoid dry mouth and dryness in the throat and nasal passages.

• Humidification provides relief from seasonal allergies, colds, and flu.

• Improves CPAP compliance by providing a more comfortable night's sleep.

• Improves quality of sleep and alertness upon awakening.

• Reduces strain on nasal passages in colder months.

• Helps reduce excessive snoring.

Cons:

A humidifier adds a bit of friction to the CPAP routine, but it is typically designed to be detachable and easy to use. The most noticeable negative impacts of increasing humidity are:

Setting your CPAP humidifier's temperature or humidity level too low, you may still experience dryness-related symptoms.

The second and more prevalent adverse effect is known as rainout. It happens when warm air cools in the tubing and reaches the mask as water, resulting in humidity settling on the skin.

This can be avoided by using a heated tube and regulating the temperature of the tube or water chamber.

FAQ Regarding The Use Of CPAP Humidifiers

How much water does a CPAP machine use?

The sleep apnea machine's water requirements vary depending on the chamber size. Approximately 16 ounces is the average requirement, conveniently the same size as most single-use water bottles. However, the larger bottle size is more cost-effective in the long run, as one gallon is equal to eight 16-ounce refills.

It is also possible to store purified water for your CPAP machine in five-gallon bottles, giving you peace of mind that you will never run out of water.

How often should I replace my CPAP humidifier?

Humidifier chambers should be changed every six months. In addition, humidifiers built into or linked to CPAP machines should have their water tanks emptied and refilled regularly using distilled water. Mineral build-up and equipment deterioration will occur faster with undistilled tap water.

Can I use tap water in my CPAP for one night?

Using tap water in a CPAP humidifier might expose you to harmful minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants. These can also accumulate on your equipment and cause problems with your CPAP machine and tubing over time. The water chamber must be filled with distilled water for long-term use. However, if you do not have access to distilled or bottled water, you can use tap water for a short-term period. It is best practice first to filter and boil the water to decontaminate it.

Do I have to change the water in CPAP every night?

Bacteria thrive in stagnant water, so changing the water in your CPAP every day is important. If you use a humidifier, take it apart once a week and wash it in warm, soapy water. For more advice on CPAP equipment and CPAP humidifier cleaning, click here.

Is a CPAP humidifier necessary?

The use of a CPAP machine is possible even without the addition of a humidifier or water chamber. It's possible that a humidifier won't be required if you're living in a very humid climate.

Ensure Your Ongoing CPAP Compliance With ApriaDirect

Ongoing CPAP compliance is important for successful sleep apnea treatment and is often a requirement from most insurance providers. A sleep apnea diagnosis brings significant lifestyle changes and an overwhelming amount of new information to digest. That is why ApriaDirect believes in making information as accessible as possible for both patients and loved ones.

In the market for a new humidifier but don't know where to begin?

These are our top picks in terms of affordability, ease of use, and efficiency:

• ResMed Standard Water Chamber for AirSense 10, AirStart 10, and AirCurve 10 Humidair Heated Humidifier

• PR System One CPAP Heated Humidifier for Philips Respironics

• Breas Heat Moisture Exchanger for Z2 & Z1

• Fisher & Paykel myAIRVO™ 2 Humidifier Oxygen Inlet Kit

When it comes to CPAP machine parts, equipment, and devices themselves, there's no need to shop extensively; we carry a wide range of premium humidifiers and replacement parts, all from the convenience of our online portal.

Order now and receive free nationwide delivery on all purchases over $99.

Need advice or more information? Our friendly and experienced team is available on call at (800) 780-1508 between 8:00 am - 10:00 pm EST. Get in touch today.