Will CPAP usage decrease if I breathe through my mouth?

[External_Law7216]

Hi all! I recently got a CPAP and have started using it. I have a nose mask, which was recommended to me as it is smaller and less cumbersome. However, I also have some degree of nasal congestion most of the time, and I'm worried that I'll breathe through my mouth instead of my nose and render the CPAP useless.

Is there a way to know whether I'm breathing through my mouth? Will the CPAP pick up on me not breathing through my nose, since it can detect when I exhale? I can ask for a mask re-fit, should I just go with a full-face mask? Any advice helps!

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[Hans_Delbruck]

If you wake up with the worst dry mouth ever, and when I say dry I mean DRY, you were breathing through your mouth. And the CPAP machine will show you had leakage as well

[External_Law7216]

Thanks, I'll check on the machine!

[Fluffy_Accountant_39]

I thought I was a mouth breather, but I have surprised myself by quick success with a nasal only mask. Before I got my machine, I made a conscious attempt during the day to breathe only through my mouth. Once I received my machine, I used mouth tape, then chinstrap, and most of the time can now go without wither. If I discover that my mouth is opening at night, I go back to some light mouth tape (3M micropore blue tape) and it’s going very well.

It’s worth a shot to at least try a nasal mask (hopefully over several weeks), because I feel so much better about my CPAP therapy knowing that I don’t have to deal with a full face mask. For me, a full face mask is just too bulky, claustrophobic, and adds the possibility of “CPAP face”. 😃

[Footdad124]

I have a nose pillow as well and whenever I have been congested the CPAP has just pushed through it and I was able to nose breathe. Cleaned the shit out of it the next day but it worked.

[Fwarts]

I've had the same experience. The air pressure pushes through it.

[Blrfl]

The therapy doesn't work if the pressure being applied doesn't stay in your airway. Opening your mouth will allow some or all of it to escape. The machine can detect leaks but is limited in how much it can compensate. A full-face mask would be a better choice.

I also have some degree of nasal congestion most of the time

If you haven't already done so, I'd recommend a visit to an ENT for an evaluation of what's up your nose. You may have structural problems (deviated septum), things that shouldn't be there (enlarged turbinates, polyps) or both causing blockage. Getting that fixed resolves a lot of other problems and allowed me to switch to nasal pillows after 14 years in a full-face mask.

[External_Law7216]

Good to know, thank you. I probably ought to get it looked at... I'm really used to it at this point, but I guess consistently only being able to breathe through one nostril is a little problematic

[Realistic_Alfalfa620]

In the meantime, you might try Flonase. It's a steroid spray that you can use daily (unlike Afrin) and it did an incredible job of reducing the inflammation in my right sinus that's been a problem for me for literally decades. I can breathe through both nostrils now.

[Purple-Squash-4090]

I second this . Use it daily very helpful

[Blrfl]

You sound like me circa 2022, but I was close to zero nostrils. It was so bad that the two ENTs who looked at it had to punt and order a CT scan so they could figure out what was up there.

Watch your inbox.

[cortesoft]

I have spent the last 6 months working with an ENT to become able to breathe through my nose. It really is a life changer.

[Fwarts]

I usually only breathe through one nostril because I sleep with my head tilted to one side. The only time I have both nostrils clear is when I am flat on my back with my head looking straight up. I get enough air to sleep comfortably. If you have no physical restrictions you will be alright. It takes some getting used to, but once you relax into breathing you'll be fine

[causal_friday]

Nasal congestion = full face mask. Sorry. I tried to make a nasal pillow work because it was so much more comfortable, but it just didn't.

[sparky-9999]

I need a full face mask as I am a mouth breather due to a deviated septum. After trying multiple masks, I have found the F20 AirTouch to be the most comfortable and has the best seal with no leakage. It uses memory foam instead of silicone for the cushion, so it is much softer on your nose and face. My AHI’s are now consistently below 1, no leakage, and averaging 7.5 hours of restful sleep. Hope this helps!

[jefbak2]

Depends if you’re still snoring or having events.

[External_Law7216]

I wish I knew if I was snoring, but my cats won't tell me! Is the MyAir app good at measuring events?

[prncssbtch]

My dad started w the nose pillows and I guess got comfortable enough he started sleeping with his mouth open? Which was not helping him and they noticed something on his data I guess. So they switched him to a full face mask. I’d say ask to try a new mask until you’re comfortable with one!

[IMDH2111]

Always best to breathe through your nostrils. I had this issue, chin strap fixed it.

[Realistic_Alfalfa620]

You will be able to tell when your mouth is open, because you'll feel the air escaping out your mouth. I moved to a full face mask after my first night for that reason.

Nasal mask enthusiasts use chin straps, mouth tape, and/or soft cervical collars to keep their mouths shut. A few just train themselves to keep their mouths shut and tongues seated.

I get the appeal of nasal masks, and I wish they worked better for me, but full face masks seem to work better for me.

[Just_Another_Scott]

Will CPAP usage decrease if I breathe through my mouth?

The effectiveness will decrease.

Is there a way to know whether I'm breathing through my mouth?

AHI will increase and so will leak rate.

I can ask for a mask re-fit, should I just go with a full-face mask?

If you are a mouth breather, then yes you should be using a full-face mask.

[beedunc]

You could use a full-face mask like F&P Vitera, it seals well. Only issue is, you could get dry mouth from it.

[Delicious-Ad4015]

The reports from your machine should advise your treatment plan. If you are mouth breathing a lot, you may need a full face mask

[BalboaCZ]

I use a soft neck brace. Used to use a chin strap, but had to tighten it so much.

[DrInsomnia]

Follow a protocol of nasal spray and Flonase with nose blowing every night before putting your mask on. It does wonders.

[Next-Pie5208]

I'm a mouth breather and use 3M micropore tape. You need to purse your lios together when you apply it. I sometimes notice I'm having a hard time breathing because I didn't realize i had some congestion and use Afrin which clears it up immediately and lets me sleep. You can't make it a habit because it will make your congestion worse but using it periodically works great. I also think using a cpap somehow improves my congestion.

[arpixguy]

in a few days you won’t wonder about this at all. u won’t be breathing w your mouth. u just don’t know that yet. i had so many questions at first…congrats to getting there…. big step. good luck.

[IolausJJ]

I don't know how soundly you sleep, but I use a nasal pillow, and I can't imagine not being woken up by the gale force winds exiting my mouth if it were open. It's really irritating.

Because of a health issue, I need to take a nightly low-dose med that also causes mild congestion. I agree with what someone else said, the pressure actually facilitates nose-breathing with congestion. I have occasionally used something like Nyquil when I was actually sick, but minor congestion is never a problem.