The Role of Humidification in CPAP Therapy

The following information is provided by: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the treatment of choice for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). CPAP therapy enables OSA sufferers to sleep continuously and soundly throughout the night, allowing the patient to have the deep, healing REM sleep we all need.

When people sleep, the muscles in the airway relax, allowing the airway diameter to decrease. In an apneic event, the muscles relax until the airway occludes.

By maintaining a constant positive airway pressure splint, the airway is prevented from closing, allowing the patient to sleep soundly.

A series of hurdles have been overcome in the methods of CPAP therapy over the years, ranging from machine noise to mask comfort to nasal symptoms. Heated humidification is the primary adjunct to CPAP shown to enhance therapy and increase compliance.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare introduced the first heated humidifier for use in-line with a CPAP device in 1992. At that time, heated humidification was regarded purely as an add-on device to make CPAP more comfortable. However, it was soon discovered that it was much more powerful than that.

In 1995 and 1996 Hayes and Richards published papers 1,2 describing the causes of nasal symptoms in CPAP patients. In 1998 and 1999 Massie and Kline published papers 3,4 showing increased compliance with heated humidification. These documents are particularly important since patient compliance is a growing concern among managed care, homecare providers, clinicians and others in the medical community. These papers are discussed in greater depth later.

Ultimately, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's aim is to maximize patient compliance with CPAP therapy. In order to maximize patient compliance, it is obvious that we must maximize patient comfort. We have found through extensive research that the two main factors which increase patient compliance are education and heated humidification 5,6.

Next

• The Role Of Humidification in CPAP Therapy
• What is Humidity?
• How the Human Body Humidifies Air
• CPAP Therapy Potential Problems
• Mouth leak and the Vicious Cycle
• Increase in Nasal Resistance
• Compliance With CPAP Therapy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References