DRY MOUTH: Don't understand
Question:
rocky wrote: > having similar problem for 4 years now tried everything I can think of, had > test but still hardly any apnoeas so cpap is working just dry mouth, I have > a upper dental plate and wondered if this was the problem but was told by > doctors to leave plate in while on cpap.
Many medications and other health problems can cause dry mouth. As for your plate, your doctor was correct. Using CPAP without the plate, will over time change you gum line and your plate won’t fit. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
This is in response to Norm’s question about how a wide chinstrap can keep the lips sealed. I purchased the 3-1/2" #210 Universal Head Band from www.DesignVeronique.com. This comes with two small 1" elastic bands to keep the Head Band in place. The Head Band can be adjusted to any size head and to any degree of tightness. I place it around my head and chin so that a pocket is created in front of my chin and just under my lower lip. In this pocket I place a large cotton ball. Then I place one of the 1" elastic straps around the back of my head under my ears; each end has Velcro which will attach to the 3-1/2" Head Band wherever you wish. I am able to create enough pressure to keep my lower lip closed, without being uncomfortable. To keep the upper lip sealed against the lower lip, I use my Breeze headgear. I place it over the 3-1/2" Head Band, and adjust the lower piece so the nasal pillows are in place; this also presses the upper lip against the lower lip, providing a comfortable seal without using tape (which I added, but seemed redundant). To keep the Breeze headgear in place during the night, I do two things. First, I take two small pieces of Velcro and place them over the Breeze straps, attaching them to the 3-1/2" Head Band. Then I take the second 1" elastic strap and place it around the back of my head above my ears; I fasten it to the Head Band with slight tension which helps ensure that my upper lip stays closed. This is all a bit complicated, and I need to do it in front of a mirror. But it works, and I have energy to start living after years of having little energy or cognitive ability. Before developing this system (with a lot of help from this newsgroup and the Sleepnet Forums), I tried all the full-face masks. They all leaked no matter how loose or tight. After my diagnosis, I spent a frustrating year of trial-and-error, during which the treatment had little effect due to leaks. During the past five months, I have been feeling progressively healthier; I assume I need to "pay off" a large sleep debt. Also, I need a lot of exercise to regain the lost muscle tone from years of inactivity. I have been able to return to work this week (part-time) with energy to spare! I have no experience as a technical writer, so I can’t tell if my explanation is clear. I hope so. Richard Schultz "NormC" <no…@socal.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3D7E6E88.45D64852@socal.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only > 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips > sealed… taped together so that no air can escape. > Keeping your jaw closed/shut, only, may or may not work, depending on how your > teeth are configured. > So are you saying that a wide elastic band works for you because it keeps your > jaw closed and your teeth are configured so that insignificant air passes > through them? > Or do you use the wide elastic band to somehow keep you lips closed? > eric pearson wrote: > > Are you sure the chinstrap is really working. > > Most I tried are ineffective. > > The only ones I’ve had work are made of a wide elastic band. > > regards, > > eric pearson > > db2e…@nospammindspring.com > > On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:17:58 GMT, BK2 <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote: > > >I will get to the point. > > >I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > > >on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > > >have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > > >pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > > >Bill
Response:
Richard – Thank you for the detailed description. Although I haven’t really stated it, one of my concerns has been that the following dialog is just not appropriate: "I find myself breathing through my mouth while I’m sleeping with CPAP." "Get a chinstrap". To be successful, one may have to do much more than run a strap around the head and chin. I’d like to encourage you to archive this post, or the basic text, to provide again and again, for those having problems in the future. From my POV, I think it belongs on Beth’s ASSD website under "Considering using a chinstrap?????" If there is some agreement about the website, a photo would be worth a million words. If you have the capability to send me a photo, I’d be grateful. TIA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Richard Schultz wrote: > This is in response to Norm’s question about how a wide chinstrap can keep > the lips sealed. I purchased the 3-1/2" #210 Universal Head Band from > www.DesignVeronique.com. This comes with two small 1" elastic bands to keep > the Head Band in place. The Head Band can be adjusted to any size head and > to any degree of tightness. I place it around my head and chin so that a > pocket is created in front of my chin and just under my lower lip. In this > pocket I place a large cotton ball. Then I place one of the 1" elastic > straps around the back of my head under my ears; each end has Velcro which > will attach to the 3-1/2" Head Band wherever you wish. I am able to create > enough pressure to keep my lower lip closed, without being uncomfortable. > To keep the upper lip sealed against the lower lip, I use my Breeze > headgear. I place it over the 3-1/2" Head Band, and adjust the lower piece > so the nasal pillows are in place; this also presses the upper lip against > the lower lip, providing a comfortable seal without using tape (which I > added, but seemed redundant). To keep the Breeze headgear in place during > the night, I do two things. First, I take two small pieces of Velcro and > place them over the Breeze straps, attaching them to the 3-1/2" Head Band. > Then I take the second 1" elastic strap and place it around the back of my > head above my ears; I fasten it to the Head Band with slight tension which > helps ensure that my upper lip stays closed. > This is all a bit complicated, and I need to do it in front of a mirror. > But it works, and I have energy to start living after years of having little > energy or cognitive ability. Before developing this system (with a lot of > help from this newsgroup and the Sleepnet Forums), I tried all the full-face > masks. They all leaked no matter how loose or tight. After my diagnosis, I > spent a frustrating year of trial-and-error, during which the treatment had > little effect due to leaks. During the past five months, I have been > feeling progressively healthier; I assume I need to "pay off" a large sleep > debt. Also, I need a lot of exercise to regain the lost muscle tone from > years of inactivity. I have been able to return to work this week > (part-time) with energy to spare! > I have no experience as a technical writer, so I can’t tell if my > explanation is clear. I hope so. > Richard Schultz > "NormC" <no…@socal.rr.com> wrote in message > news:3D7E6E88.45D64852@socal.rr.com… > > Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only > > 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips > > sealed… taped together so that no air can escape. > > Keeping your jaw closed/shut, only, may or may not work, depending on how > your > > teeth are configured. > > So are you saying that a wide elastic band works for you because it keeps > your > > jaw closed and your teeth are configured so that insignificant air passes > > through them? > > Or do you use the wide elastic band to somehow keep you lips closed? > > eric pearson wrote: > > > Are you sure the chinstrap is really working. > > > Most I tried are ineffective. > > > The only ones I’ve had work are made of a wide elastic band. > > > regards, > > > eric pearson > > > db2e…@nospammindspring.com > > > On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:17:58 GMT, BK2 <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote: > > > >I will get to the point. > > > >I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned > up > > > >on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > > > >have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using > nasal > > > >pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > > > >Bill
Response:
Tal wrote: > I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth > breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which > shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have > any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions
General dehydration – avoid anything sweet before going to bed, drink lots of water just before getting into bed even if you are not thirsty, avoid anything excessively salty like chips, avoid any alcohol. Make it a habit to eat lots of cucumbers and onions, they hydrate your body and keep it cool by reducing body heat, avoid sleeping in an air-conditioned room, air-conditioners de-humidify the air Cheers — Mohan in Hamilton, ON – Windmills exist for me to tilt at.
Response:
> > I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth > > breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which > > shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have > > any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions > General dehydration – avoid anything sweet before going to bed, drink > lots of water just before getting into bed even if you are not thirsty, > avoid anything excessively salty like chips, avoid any alcohol. Make it > a habit to eat lots of cucumbers and onions, they hydrate your body and > keep it cool by reducing body heat, avoid sleeping in an air-conditioned > room, air-conditioners de-humidify the air
I actually meant suggestions as to other possible explainations.. but thanks for your response all the same 
— Beth in Australia =================== FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles
Response:
Thanks Lee What you also said about low potassium, also have a lot of calf muscle cramps at night was just told yesterday that potassium may be need for that problem. "Lee Babcock" <leebabc…@pathcom.com> wrote in message
news:3D7F52AF.85EBC@pathcom.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> rocky wrote: > > having similar problem for 4 years now tried everything I can think of, had > > test but still hardly any apnoeas so cpap is working just dry mouth, I have > > a upper dental plate and wondered if this was the problem but was told by > > doctors to leave plate in while on cpap. > Many medications and other health problems can cause dry mouth. As for > your plate, your doctor was correct. Using CPAP without the plate, will > over time change you gum line and your plate won’t fit. > Regards > Lee in Toronto > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
rocky wrote: > Thanks Lee > What you also said about low potassium, also have a lot of calf muscle > cramps at night was just told yesterday that potassium may be need for that > problem.
Rocky…..you should have the doctor check your potassium levels and also your zinc level. If you are low on the former you are probably low on the latter as well and low levels of either can cause the same problem. Interesting how mother nature works. Just about any high potassium content food, also has zinc. BTW, any kind of dehydration, the runs, excess salt/sugar intake, excessive sweating will cause you to lose potassium and then zinc. And, it is so easy to treat. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips sealed… taped together so that no air can escape. Keeping your jaw closed/shut, only, may or may not work, depending on how your teeth are configured. So are you saying that a wide elastic band works for you because it keeps your jaw closed and your teeth are configured so that insignificant air passes through them? Or do you use the wide elastic band to somehow keep you lips closed? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -eric pearson wrote: > Are you sure the chinstrap is really working. > Most I tried are ineffective. > The only ones I’ve had work are made of a wide elastic band. > regards, > eric pearson > db2e…@nospammindspring.com > On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:17:58 GMT, BK2 <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote: > >I will get to the point. > >I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > >on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > >have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > >pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > >Bill
Response:
> Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only > 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips > sealed… taped together so that no air can escape.
Norm….i think it would depend entirely on the cause of the open mouth…..some people have just become used to having their mouth open when their sleep (note i said mouth, not lips) and for those people a chinstrap probably works, if however, the pressure is causing the air to come out the mouth, that’s a different issue. — Beth in Australia =================== FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles
Response:
> Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only > 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips > sealed… taped together so that no air can escape.
you should also remember that taping your mouth can present a danger…. if something causes you to throw up for example…
Response:
In article <all44k$1qieu…@ID-148111.news.dfncis.de>, beth…@hotmail.com says… <<snippity snip>>> > I’m inclined to think that dehydration plays a part….whole body > dehydration, not just mouth, it just manifests itself in the mouth with the > whole air pressure thing… > I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth > breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which > shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have > any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions > — > Beth in Australia
Spot on, Beth. The first thing to check might be mouth seal and humidity levels, but it could be caused by general dehydration. Just from personal observation and certainly NOT any medical or scientific tests- I noticed it myself if I don’t meet my minimum water intake. Not only dry mouth, but increased frequency (but not quantity) of urination during the night. Vic
Response:
having similar problem for 4 years now tried everything I can think of, had test but still hardly any apnoeas so cpap is working just dry mouth, I have a upper dental plate and wondered if this was the problem but was told by doctors to leave plate in while on cpap. Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"BK2" <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote in message news:3D7DFF16.19207D76@aol.com… > I will get to the point. > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > Bill
Response:
BK2 wrote: > I will get to the point. > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > Bill
Bill……what medications are you on? Diuretics, blodd pressure meds and heart regulating meds can cause dry mouth. Also, low potassium and low thyroid can cause this. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tal wrote: > first, turn up the humidity a bit > > second, check to make sure you aren’t opening your lips and letting the > CPAP > > air go straight thru your mouth and out > I don’t understand why people insist that if you have dry mouth the > humidifier isn’t high enough or you open your mouth > There are other possiblities, i know because i have my humidifier on > max…..and i do NOT open my mouth (you know htis when you wake with mega > dry mouth and lips SEALED SHUT…there’s no WAY i’m opening my mouth. > I’m inclined to think that dehydration plays a part….whole body > dehydration, not just mouth, it just manifests itself in the mouth with the > whole air pressure thing… > I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth > breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which > shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have > any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions > — > Beth in Australia
Beth….. you are sooooooooo right! Most people on CPAP have other health problems that OSA has caused, and the medications to treat them can cause dry mouth. I’ve mentioned these in my reply to Bill’s original post. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Tal wrote: > > Eric – I don’t understand what a chin strap does when ‘it works’ The only > > 100% way to keep from exhaling through ones mouth is to have ones lips > > sealed… taped together so that no air can escape. > you should also remember that taping your mouth can present a danger…. if > something causes you to throw up for example…
Thanks for mentioning this. I recently posted a link that was meant for nurses on OSA (no one commented on it so I guess no one read it) and it warned over and over against the risk of aspirating your own vomit if you use CPAP with a full face mask or tape the mouth shut. Frankly, I would never resort to tape. I had the problem in the early days and solved it with other means. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
I will get to the point. I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. Bill
Response:
first, turn up the humidity a bit second, check to make sure you aren’t opening your lips and letting the CPAP air go straight thru your mouth and out i just went thru a phase where i was opening my mouth……… have learned to breathe thru my nose all the time, but opening my mouth meant that the CPAP air was going straight out my mouth took me 2 weeks to retrain myself to put my tongue on the roof of my mouth just behind my top front teeth sigh…….. i was hoping that once you learned this, it would stick……… sigh kate – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"BK2" <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote in message news:3D7DFF16.19207D76@aol.com… > I will get to the point. > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > Bill
Response:
first, turn up the humidity a bit > second, check to make sure you aren’t opening your lips and letting the CPAP > air go straight thru your mouth and out
I don’t understand why people insist that if you have dry mouth the humidifier isn’t high enough or you open your mouth There are other possiblities, i know because i have my humidifier on max…..and i do NOT open my mouth (you know htis when you wake with mega dry mouth and lips SEALED SHUT…there’s no WAY i’m opening my mouth. I’m inclined to think that dehydration plays a part….whole body dehydration, not just mouth, it just manifests itself in the mouth with the whole air pressure thing… I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions — Beth in Australia =================== FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles
Response:
"BK2" <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote in message news:3D7DFF16.19207D76@aol.com… > I will get to the point. > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > Bill
A lot of medications (prescription and over the counter), herbal concoctions, and even soda’s can dehydrate the heck out of you. Are you taking anything like that within 4 or 5 hours of bedtime? If yes, maybe check side effects using www.google,com Mike
Response:
BK2 wrote: > I will get to the point. > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > Bill
I may have suggested this to you previously. As you read this, close your mouth completely (i.e. the jaw until teeth are touching). Now bite down a little to represent the tightness provided by the chinstrap. Now notice that you can wiggle your lips all over the place. Maintaining the above, inhale through you nose, pinch your nose closed, and breath out. If you are able to exhale, then the chin strap is not doing diddly, nor is your CPAP treatment, and the air passing through your mouth and teeth is quite possibly drying out your mouth. This appears to be what was happening to me. I tried taping my lips closed, which worked great, except that I have a full beard and it was not a lot fun taking the tape off. So I went to a FFM. And then my dry mouth got much worse because I continued to breath through my mouth and the air was being pushed up both my mouth and nose. I no longer have any dry mouth. And I think this is because I am no longer breathing through my mouth. I am considering returning to a nasal mask, after I have had a couple medical procedures requiring anesthesia. HTH
Response:
Are you sure the chinstrap is really working. Most I tried are ineffective. The only ones I’ve had work are made of a wide elastic band. regards, eric pearson db2e…@nospammindspring.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:17:58 GMT, BK2 <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote: >I will get to the point. >I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up >on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody >have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal >pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. >Bill
Response:
Patrick Richards and I have both used 3M Micropore available in drug stores. There are also some ready-cut ‘tapes’ that, last I knew, were only available on the inet. I can’t remember their name; however, I’m sure someone else here will. Patrick was kind enough to send me some to try, and I will be happy to do the same for you… if you’ll send me your mailing address. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -BK2 wrote: > Hi Norm, > What kind of tape can I use? Where can I buy it? > Bill > NormC wrote: > > BK2 wrote: > > > I will get to the point. > > > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > > > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > > > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > > > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > > > Bill > > I may have suggested this to you previously. > > As you read this, close your mouth completely (i.e. the jaw until teeth are > > touching). Now bite down a little to represent the tightness provided by the > > chinstrap. Now notice that you can wiggle your lips all over the place. > > Maintaining the above, inhale through you nose, pinch your nose closed, and > > breath out. If you are able to exhale, then the chin strap is not doing > > diddly, nor is your CPAP treatment, and the air passing through your mouth and > > teeth is quite possibly drying out your mouth. This appears to be what was > > happening to me. > > I tried taping my lips closed, which worked great, except that I have a full > > beard and it was not a lot fun taking the tape off. So I went to a FFM. And > > then my dry mouth got much worse because I continued to breath through my > > mouth and the air was being pushed up both my mouth and nose. > > I no longer have any dry mouth. And I think this is because I am no longer > > breathing through my mouth. I am considering returning to a nasal mask, after > > I have had a couple medical procedures requiring anesthesia. > > HTH
Response:
Tiger Lily wrote: > first, turn up the humidity a bit > second, check to make sure you aren’t opening your lips and letting the CPAP > air go straight thru your mouth and out > i just went thru a phase where i was opening my mouth……… have learned > to breathe thru my nose all the time, but opening my mouth meant that the > CPAP air was going straight out my mouth > took me 2 weeks to retrain myself to put my tongue on the roof of my mouth > just behind my top front teeth
Hey, Kate, how many times do I have to tell you. <g> My tongue is always at the roof of my mouth, just behind my front teeth. Where is yours when it isn’t there? <g> Just as it appears that I stopped breathing through my mouth, my suspicion would be that you also stopped…. after two weeks. Since some of the obstruction in OSA arises from the relaxation of certain ‘body parts’ (including the tongue) in the sleep process, it is virtually impossible for me to understand how one could maintain the tongue in any kind of special position, while sleeping. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sigh…….. i was hoping that once you learned this, it would > stick……… sigh > kate > "BK2" <bkfo…@aol.com> wrote in message news:3D7DFF16.19207D76@aol.com… > > I will get to the point. > > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > > Bill
Response:
Tal wrote: > first, turn up the humidity a bit > > second, check to make sure you aren’t opening your lips and letting the > CPAP > > air go straight thru your mouth and out > I don’t understand why people insist that if you have dry mouth the > humidifier isn’t high enough or you open your mouth
As for me, I wouldn’t insist, but rather suggest, these two things because they are easy and fast to deal with: turn up the heat, tape your lips. use a FFM. Also because I did them…. after wasting money on a chinstrap. > There are other possiblities, i know because i have my humidifier on > max…..and i do NOT open my mouth (you know htis when you wake with mega > dry mouth and lips SEALED SHUT…there’s no WAY i’m opening my mouth.
Interesting. At the time I was breathing through my mouth, I considered my lips to be pretty well sealed also. And, obviously, my conclusion was different than yours. > I’m inclined to think that dehydration plays a part….whole body > dehydration, not just mouth, it just manifests itself in the mouth with the > whole air pressure thing…
Having investigated dehydration (as possible connection to reoccuring back cramp) and recently following the link, posted here, about the changed opinion about drinking 8 glasses of water a day, I would think you would have to be sick and dehydrated before you would have a dry mouth from dehydration. > I’m not saying SOME dont’ suffer dry mouth cause of low humidity or mouth > breathing…..but there are OTHER things that cause it too…..which > shouldn’t be overlooked….other than the general dehydration i don’t have > any other explainations yet, but i’d appreciate suggestions.
IIRC, I ran across some info indicating that some prescription drugs will cause dry mouth. If you are interested you might GOOGLE "dry mouth side effect". HTH – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Beth in Australia > =================== > FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here > http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders > this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles
Response:
Hi Norm, What kind of tape can I use? Where can I buy it? Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -NormC wrote: > BK2 wrote: > > I will get to the point. > > I still have dry mouth with CPAP. I am using heated humidity (turned up > > on high), and I use a chinstrap, yet I still get dry mouth. Anybody > > have any ideas as to why I am still getting dry mouth? I am using nasal > > pillows with great success. Masks did NOT work for me. > > Bill > I may have suggested this to you previously. > As you read this, close your mouth completely (i.e. the jaw until teeth are > touching). Now bite down a little to represent the tightness provided by the > chinstrap. Now notice that you can wiggle your lips all over the place. > Maintaining the above, inhale through you nose, pinch your nose closed, and > breath out. If you are able to exhale, then the chin strap is not doing > diddly, nor is your CPAP treatment, and the air passing through your mouth and > teeth is quite possibly drying out your mouth. This appears to be what was > happening to me. > I tried taping my lips closed, which worked great, except that I have a full > beard and it was not a lot fun taking the tape off. So I went to a FFM. And > then my dry mouth got much worse because I continued to breath through my > mouth and the air was being pushed up both my mouth and nose. > I no longer have any dry mouth. And I think this is because I am no longer > breathing through my mouth. I am considering returning to a nasal mask, after > I have had a couple medical procedures requiring anesthesia. > HTH
