Why humidification?
OSA therapy can result in side effects1 such as:
- Dryness of the nose, throat and lips
- congestion, inflammation and infections of the nose, throat and sinuses
- Epistaxis and breakdown of soft tissue around the nares
Such side effects could result in increased Nasal Airway Resistance (NAR).
- NAR may cause minor mouth leak. Minor mouth leak, in turn, aggravates the problem by contributing to increased NAR. This sets up a cycle of minor mouth leak and NAR
How our devices meet the need for humidification?
- Many of our devices offers a Humidifier as an optional, clip-on module
- Integrated when required, this humidifier provides heated humidification to reduce side effects such as NAR during therapy
Is it necessary for all patients, all the time?
No. The need for humidification may vary from patient to patient, and from time to time for the same patient.
What a Heated Humidifer does?
Increases comfort & improves compliance
- Provides heated humidification, which is proven2, 3 to improve compliance in OSA therapy. It does this by reducing side effects and NAR
Provides flexibility of treatment
- Being an optional module, the HumidAire adds flexibility to the AutoSet Spirit system. The patient can be treated with or without humidification
Offers ease-of-use
- Clips off for easy filling and cleaning. The large control dial makes it easy to control humidity, even in the dark
- Assures safety: A unique spill-back mechanism prevents water from entering into the device
References
1. Brander PE, Soirinsuo M, Lohela P. Nasopharyngeal symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Respiration 1999;66(2):128-35.
2. Engleman HM, Martin SE, Douglas NJ. Compliance with CPAP therapy in patients with the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome. Thorax. 1994 Mar;49(3):263-6.
3. Hoffstein V, Viner S, et al. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Patient compliance, perception of benefits, and side effects. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992;145(4 Pt 1):841-5.