Sleep is known to be critical for overall good health, but if you are one of the 18 million Americans with sleep apnea, you may need to rethink your nightly routine. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleeping disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts. For many, the C-Pap Machine has made significant changes in their in their sleep and reduces many sleep apnea symptoms. The C-Pap Machine (continuous positive airway pressure machine) helps open airways by pushing a forceful stream of air through a tube and into a mask the patient wears while they sleep. This allows a constant flow of oxygen into the lungs preventing sleep apnea symptoms. However, before considering adding this treatment to your nightly ritual, the risk of inhaling mold may be higher than previously thought.
Each C-Pap machine piece comes into contact with water vapor, by either the device’s humidifier or from the users breath. This ultimately can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and microorganisms. It’s advised to clean each component daily, but is this enough? A previous report from the Environmental Protection Agency recommends washing out a humidifier every third day, but for a device with humidifier, small tubes, a face mask, and tiny components, is sanitation truly attainable?
Keeping the C-PAP machine clean isn’t the only factor that can expose the user to mold. The home environment plays a big piece in what they are breathing. The machine draws air from the surrounding area through a pump into the humidifier where it is then pushed through the tube into the lungs of the patient. But what if the home is contaminated with mold? The likelihood of living in mold is relatively high, an estimate of 50% of American homes have water damage and dampness. Mold creates spores that reproduce and spread. When these spores are inhaled, it can bring more harm than commonly known. The longer your environment’s mold goes untreated, the more harm done to your lungs, your sinuses, and your overall body.
Breathing in those organisms can increase problems related to conditions such as asthma, mold allergies, reactive airway disease, or other lung conditions. Flu-like symptoms to serious infections, can also be the beginning of concerns from prolonged exposure, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Follow this simple guide to prevent mold growth in your C-Pap machine:
Chamber.
The C-Pap box is a small, quiet compressor humidifier that takes in room temperature air and pressurizes it. The chamber delivers gently pressurized and filtered air to the users airway via a hose and mask. It is very important to dump the water out of this chamber daily, cleanse it with vinegar, soap, and water, then dry it thoroughly to keep it from becoming a breeding ground for mold. If you can see visible mold growth, there is certainly mold through the rest of the components.
Hose.
The C-Pap hose connects the motor to the mask. Hoses are specially designed to move humidified air. Hoses can build up deposits that are difficult or impossible to remove and encourage the growth of bacteria and mold. If mold is visible, the hose needs to be discarded.
Mask.
The C-Pap mask may go over your nose or over your entire face. Though the masks are easy to use and effective. The cushions are not meant to be used indefinitely without replacement, even when you clean them properly. The cushion should be replaced twice a month. If there is mold present, it must be discarded.
4. Filter.
The filter removes allergens from the air in the room. When not replaced regularly, this filter will not remove allergens as effectively. Additionally, it becomes contaminated with bacteria, mold and other pathogens over time.
While the golden standard solution for sleep apnea is the C-Pap machine, you may need to reconsider, especially if you’re sensitive to mold. C-Pap machines and their components need to be tested, serviced, and replaced periodically, but this regular maintenance can help prevent unwanted mold growth inside the chamber. Talk to your doctor about positional therapy, oral appliances, hypoglossal nerve therapy, and the pillar procedure as alternatives. There’s no need to suffer from both sleep apnea and the illnesses that come from mold. If you believe you have mold growing in your home, it’s time to call for professional help.
The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.
Resources:
https://www.alaskasleep.com/blog/dirty-and-broken-cpap-and-bipap-equipment-can-endanger-your-health
https://www.cheapcpapsupplies.com/blog/best-ways-to-clean-your-cpap/
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5046.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/humidifier_factsheet.pdf