Best Humidifiers for Sleep Apnea: Top 5 by Health Professionals

Waking up irritable and cranky in the morning is something everyone with sleep apnea can relate to. Sleep apnea affects both your night and day, that is why you need to find the best humidifier for sleep apnea just like the best snoring humidifier, to take back your night.

Sleep apnea is a disorder, and it can be managed using different methods. However, the best way so far is by using a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine works, but it works so much better with a cpap humidifier, and we will tell you why.

Top 5 best humidifiers for sleep apnea

1) Pure Enrichment Mistaire Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier

Special features: Night light, 360° mist nozzle, auto-off feature, 1.5l tank.

It can run for 16 hours on the low setting, meaning you can leave it running all night, and it also has an auto-off feature which shuts it off when the water level is low, or the water tank has been disconnected. Its 360° mist nozzle allows you to direct the flow of mist to where it’s needed.

Thanks to its easy to fill the water tank, there are less likely to spill when you refill it. It is easy to clean, especially when you use the cleaning brush that comes attached. It has an optional nightlight feature, and it is very budget friendly.

2) Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Special features: 6l large tank, essential oil tray, super quiet operation, blue LED light, auto shut off.

This unit comfortably cools small to large rooms due to its impressive output of 270ml/hour and its dial knob and 360° nozzle that allows you customize the mist output to your taste.

The large 6l tank cuts down on the frequency of refills, and it can run for up to 50 hours on the low setting between refills. It doesn’t require filters, and it can be filled with tap water that isn’t hard.

It is easy to clean, and it has an antibacterial, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic ionizer that prevents build-up and spread of germs. Although its price is on the high side, it is undoubtedly worth it.

3) Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Special features: Whisper quiet, clean control, 360° lid, auto off.

It has a 1-gallon tank that fits comfortably in most sinks. This makes it able to provide cool mist for up to 24 hours, so you don’t have to refill always. It is recommended that you use distilled water, especially if your tap water is hard.

The unit has an auto-off the sensor and a 360° lid, which means you can customize your humidifying experience.

5) Vicks Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier

Special features: Large 1.2-gallon tank, Essential oil pads, auto shut off, filter free.

The unit has a wide tank opening that makes cleaning and refilling easy and spills free. The dial knob directs the output and flow of the mist.

You can also use it as an aroma diffuser because it has a slot for inserting aroma infused pads. Do not put essential oils directly into the tank of a Vicks cool mist humidifier as it can damage the tank.

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Does a humidifier help with sleep apnea: How?

Adding a humidifier to your CPAP machine either differently or jointly can help make your experience easier and more enjoyable. Eventually, The warm or cool mist emitted by the humidifier helps ease the passage of air.

The humidification relieves whatever conditions can arise from having dry, pressurized air continuously pumped into your mouth. If the throat is dry, the air gets trapped and can lead to snoring.

People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly, and this leads to discomfort and irritation of the sinuses.

Humidification of the air can help relieve the dryness and helps them sleep more comfortably.

What is central and obstructive sleep apnea and what causes it

Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing stops and starts during sleep. It makes it impossible to get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, and it can affect your productivity throughout the day.

If you wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep or your partner reports times you stop breathing in your sleep, you probably have sleep apnea.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring and waking up with a dry mouth, insomnia, irritability, difficulty paying attention and gasping for air during sleep.

There are two types of sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA occurs when the muscles of your throat relax too much for proper breathing and passage of air. Relaxation of those muscles closes your airway and prevents oxygen from passing.

When this happens, your brain pushes a signal, waking you up briefly to reopen your airway. This can happen several times in 1hr, all night, disrupting your sleep pattern and causing you to snore.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles in charge of breathing. It can be a direct cause of other conditions such as, heart failure or stroke or sleeping at a high altitude.

By treating the already existing conditions, you can treat central sleep apnea. Hence, by using an oxygen machine, or using a machine that assists breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea.

Also Read: Best humidifier for dry nose

Can sleep apnea go away on its own?

There are several causes and risk factors responsible for sleep apnea. For example, overweight people tend to be more susceptible to it and It is also more prevalent in males and older people. While some of these risk factors can be removed to help treat sleep apnea, for example, losing weight, some other factors cannot be removed easily, and other treatment options are to be considered.

However, anatomy of human body hardly changes, so untreated sleep apnea doesn’t go away on its own since it may be linked to several factors. Instead of going away if untreated, it would rather cause complications for the bearer. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, it’s best to contact your doctor immediately.

Also read: Best humidifiers for nosebleeds

What is CPAP used for : can I use CPAP without humidifier?

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure, and it is a type of ventilator that applies constant mild air pressure to keep the airways open for those who can’t breathe on their own.

People who have breathing problems such as sleep apnea and respiratory distress syndrome can use it. It is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea so far, as it keeps the airways open for easy passage of oxygen.

Many of the newer models of CPAP machines come with warm mist humidifiers that are either built-in or attached to them. Most of the humidifiers for CPAP machines usually emit warm mist instead of cold mist.

The humidifier contains a hot plate that is located beneath a tank that heats the water to create a warm mist. This pressurized air is then passed through this warm mist to increase the humidity in the nose and lungs.

The CPAP helps reduce the irritation that can arise from the dry air getting into the airway. CPAP therapy can also cause a dry mouth, and it can aggravate allergies and a sore throat.

Also read: Best Humidifier for bronchitis

How to help sleep apnea naturally

Cpaps are the most effective method for managing sleep apnea, but apart from cpaps, sleep apnea can be managed by some natural methods. They include,

Changing your sleep position:

Sometimes the position you assume when you sleep can affect your airways. Sleeping on your back makes it easier for your airways to get blocked. Try sleeping on your side.

Exercise:

Regular exercise can help strengthen your heart and improve your general muscle system. They can increase your energy and oxygen levels.

Yoga, due to the breathing exercises, is especially useful for improving the oxygen levels. This helps reduce the number of disruptions to your sleep you might have.

Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle:

More than half of the people with OSA are overweight. It is recommended that a healthy weight is maintained to keep your airways clear and reduce the risk of airway obstruction.

A healthy lifestyle can improve your sleeping habits. Avoiding smoking and drinking can significantly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Alcohol weakens the throat muscles and can cause an obstruction. Tobacco can aggravate inflammation and swelling in your airways. This can worsen your sleep apnea.

Use a humidifier:

Humidifiers increase the moisture in the air and aid in better and easier respiration. When you humidify your air, the risk of snoring is reduced, and your sleep quality dramatically improves.

Also read: Best humidifiers for dry eyes

Final Verdict: Best humidifier for sleep Apnea

After a thorough analysis of the top 5 best humidifiers for sleep apnea, the Everlasting comfort ultrasonic cool mist humidifier came out as the best for the price.

It is a bit pricey but the large tank, adjustable mist levels, and essential oil tray more than make up for the price. It even has a 2-year warranty, so you’re assured of its quality and durability.

If you want a more budget-friendly and you don’t mind the lack of an aroma diffuser, then you should try out the Victsing cool mist ultrasonic humidifier

Important Reads:

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• Best humidifiers for infants