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I ownly got this, my first, humidifier a few weeks ago, so this review is based on a limited amount of information gained from use.
What is a humidifier?
Why is used in Cpap treatment?
Does it do the job it is designed for?
Just a few questions I had when I first started reading about Cpap machines. I never imagened I would have to use one. Those that already use one, forgive me this is really for the newbies. First of all, the forced air that your machine pumps, has a drying effect on your nose and mouth, this manifests itself as a dry mouth and itchy nose. Prolonged exposure can caused problems in these areas and the answer is a mosture laddened air flow. The bit of kit that does this is a humidifier.
The humidifier that my clinic has loaned me is a DeVilbiss Cpap Humidifer. This is basically a plasic box with an in port and an out port. You can get an idea of the inner workings from the "One Handed Cpap User" video. The box is a clam shell type design, i.e. two halves that clamp together with 6 sliding clips. In side the box is a convorluted air passage with baffles designed to brake up the air flow. It does not matter which direction the air enters the chamber, as its only use is to allow air to pass over water, picking up humidity on the way. Included with the box is a short length of pipe with rubber push fit connectors.
The water used must be strille, i.e. boiled and let cool. Don't put boiling water directly into the box, not good for the rubber seal. The best way I have found to fill this unit is to use a funnel. Stand the unit on end, I have to wedge it between two heavy objects to stop it falling over. Pour the water through both ports upto a max/min fill line. The short pipe is pushed onto the one port and the other end is connected to the port on the cpap machine, which can then sit on top of the reclined humidifier. The longer pipe is connected to the other port on the humidifier. The mask then attaches to the other end of the long pipe.
It's very easy to use, just put the mask on and switch the cpap on as you normally would. In practice it does not seem to make much difference, that is, until you use the cpap for a night without the humidifier, then you really can feel the difference. From what I understand a number of humidifiers have heaters built in. My unit is not heated so I can not tell you what difference this makes.
One down side I have encountered so far, is the "Rain-out" problem caused by condensing humidity on the inside of the mask and pipe. You wake up with cold water drips on your face during the night. I have ordered a fleese pipe cover for the pipe, as this may help with temperature control.
Cleaning is just a matter of emptying the unit, spliting the two halfs and washing out with clear water, then drying off.
Easy of use 5
Transport 2 due to size, it will not fit in the cpap bag.
Does it do the job 5
What is a humidifier?
Why is used in Cpap treatment?
Does it do the job it is designed for?
Just a few questions I had when I first started reading about Cpap machines. I never imagened I would have to use one. Those that already use one, forgive me this is really for the newbies. First of all, the forced air that your machine pumps, has a drying effect on your nose and mouth, this manifests itself as a dry mouth and itchy nose. Prolonged exposure can caused problems in these areas and the answer is a mosture laddened air flow. The bit of kit that does this is a humidifier.
The humidifier that my clinic has loaned me is a DeVilbiss Cpap Humidifer. This is basically a plasic box with an in port and an out port. You can get an idea of the inner workings from the "One Handed Cpap User" video. The box is a clam shell type design, i.e. two halves that clamp together with 6 sliding clips. In side the box is a convorluted air passage with baffles designed to brake up the air flow. It does not matter which direction the air enters the chamber, as its only use is to allow air to pass over water, picking up humidity on the way. Included with the box is a short length of pipe with rubber push fit connectors.
The water used must be strille, i.e. boiled and let cool. Don't put boiling water directly into the box, not good for the rubber seal. The best way I have found to fill this unit is to use a funnel. Stand the unit on end, I have to wedge it between two heavy objects to stop it falling over. Pour the water through both ports upto a max/min fill line. The short pipe is pushed onto the one port and the other end is connected to the port on the cpap machine, which can then sit on top of the reclined humidifier. The longer pipe is connected to the other port on the humidifier. The mask then attaches to the other end of the long pipe.
It's very easy to use, just put the mask on and switch the cpap on as you normally would. In practice it does not seem to make much difference, that is, until you use the cpap for a night without the humidifier, then you really can feel the difference. From what I understand a number of humidifiers have heaters built in. My unit is not heated so I can not tell you what difference this makes.
One down side I have encountered so far, is the "Rain-out" problem caused by condensing humidity on the inside of the mask and pipe. You wake up with cold water drips on your face during the night. I have ordered a fleese pipe cover for the pipe, as this may help with temperature control.
Cleaning is just a matter of emptying the unit, spliting the two halfs and washing out with clear water, then drying off.
Easy of use 5
Transport 2 due to size, it will not fit in the cpap bag.
Does it do the job 5
