Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Sore Throat And Eye Irritation While Having Cpap Machine?
OK, here goes. It s complicated. I m a 67 yr old male, 5-10-1/2, 215 pounds. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and gerd. I have been using a cpap machine for 10 years (the same machine). I have been getting a very very minor sore throat overnight and my gastro guy thinks it s heartburn so he doubled my PPi meds. the sore throat goes away as soon as I get out of bed. I now take 1 20mg capsule twice a day and it hasn t helped much. I think the sore throat is due to my cpap machine. Now I am getting eye irritation with mucus in the morning. This has been going on for over a year. My opthomologist (sp?) treated me (twice now) for an eye infection even though he thinks its due to allergies. I recently saw him a third time and now I am on Alrex for inflamation. It helps but I don t think my condition is cured. Is my cpap machine contaminated? Can I clean out the guts of the machine?? Any other ideas on what is going on with me. I haven t discussed this with my sleep doc yet. NEVER MIND. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU DUDES.
Thu, 20 Dec 2018
Hi,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern. Firstly, cough can be due to reflux of gastric acid, so continue taking the regular GERD medication unless your treating doctor ask you to stop the medication.
Secondly, CPAP do require cleaning for optimal hygiene it should be cleaned at weekly basis. The moist, humid environment inside the machine can be breeding ground for mould, bacteria and other pathogens. They can cause recurrent episodes of allergy or flu like symptoms.
Finally, CPAP machine can be cleaned at home, you may contact the equipment provider and they will either provide you with the service or will explain you how to do it yourself.
If the provider can not help you, your sleep doctor can suggest you some service provider to get it cleaned or explain you how should it be done on regular basis.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ayesha Shareef,
General & Family Physician
I have gone through your question and understand your concern. Firstly, cough can be due to reflux of gastric acid, so continue taking the regular GERD medication unless your treating doctor ask you to stop the medication.
Secondly, CPAP do require cleaning for optimal hygiene it should be cleaned at weekly basis. The moist, humid environment inside the machine can be breeding ground for mould, bacteria and other pathogens. They can cause recurrent episodes of allergy or flu like symptoms.
Finally, CPAP machine can be cleaned at home, you may contact the equipment provider and they will either provide you with the service or will explain you how to do it yourself.
If the provider can not help you, your sleep doctor can suggest you some service provider to get it cleaned or explain you how should it be done on regular basis.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ayesha Shareef,
General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Sleep disorder
Loading Online Doctors....