What Type Of Water Is Used In CPAP Machines?

The effects of the CPAP machine are remarkable for sleep apnea patients. But to keep your machine effective and in working condition all the time, cleaning is a necessary part of it. CPAP equipment consists of various components. One of them is a humidifier; the type of water used in it can greatly affect how much you have to take care of it.

Using distilled water not only increases the longevity of the machine but also decreases the sheer amount of time you spend cleaning the machine. So, if you are wondering what kind of water you should use in your CPAP device, stick to the end of this blog. 

About CPAP Humidifier

CPAP machine is generally used in the treatment of sleep apnea. It has a humidifier water chamber like a water tank that adds moisture to the air that a patient inhales to increase the comfort level while breathing. CPAP therapy can leave your nasal airway dry, resulting in a dry mouth, throat, nose bleed, etc. To prevent this from happening, CPAP machine-heated humidifiers add a little moisture to the air.

Furthermore, there are two methods of adding moisture to the air. One uses a hot plate (humidifier's heating plate), creating moisturized air. In another method, the air is passed over water at room temperature in the chamber, which carries out the humid air through the air tube and then to the mask. 

Benefits of Using a CPAP Humidifier

CPAP humidifiers make breathing comfortable by adding moisture to the air while you go through the therapy. Here are some benefits of CPAP humidifiers.

• You don't have irritation in your nasal passage.
• You wake up with a perfectly moist mouth in the morning.
• Prevents nosebleeds and dry throat.
• Prevents chest pain and nasal infections.
• It reduces the snoring problem.

Type Of Water Used In CPAP Machines

When it comes down to the type of water in a CPAP machine, distilled water is preferred as it contains no minerals or bacteria. Another reason why distilled water is used is that it prevents limescale buildup in the machine, which can increase the life expectancy of the device as well as provide clean, moisturized air. Boiled water and steamed water are some secondary choices to distilled water. However, if you are travelling and don't have good options, tap water can be used for a night or two but is not recommended for regular use.

Why Is Distilled Water the Best for CPAP?

Distillation is a process where water is boiled beyond the boiling point, and the vapour is captured. The boiling water kills microbes, and the vapour is cooled and condensed. This collected form of water is known as distilled water. This process helps in removing mineral content and chemical contaminants from the water. The reasons why distilled water is considered best for CPAP devices are:

• Reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
• Good for optimal air pressure
• Purest water you can get
• Have the lowest PPM(parts per million)

Can I Use Boiled or Filtered Water?

Most manufacturers recommend distilled water as it contains next to zero minerals and no contaminants, which does not overload the humidifier used to create the moisturized air. Boiled water or filtered water still has traces of minerals whose, despite over time, can result in bacterial growth, limescale deposits, etc. 

Can I Use Bottled Water In My CPAP?

It's best to use distilled water for CPAP humidifiers, but you can use tap or bottled water if it is unavailable. Bottled water will require a more laborious humidifier to prevent excess mineral buildup in the machine and avoid limescale buildup.

Bottled water is purified through reverse osmosis, which extracts minerals and impurities from the water but is remineralized again to add healthy minerals. Reverse osmosis water is around 99% of purified water which you can use in a CPAP humidifier.

However, it won't be wrong to say that bottled water brands use various kinds of water, including spring water, purified water, mineral water, and filtered water. None of this water can be completely free of impurities, even if they have been through a purification process.

Thus, it's recommended to use a distillation process with such kind of water to be sure of its purity. Not to mention dry and wet climate can also affect the amount of mineral deposits in the water. Alternatively, you can always purchase distilled water from any of your local grocery stores.

Conclusion

A petrol car can run on diesel but only for so long. Using only distilled water is the best option recommended by almost every CPAP manufacturer to treat sleep apnea effectively. Using other water like tap water, boiled water, and filtered water can work in emergency situations, but it's not a long-term solution. If you use water that has dissolved minerals, it can damage the CPAP device. If you have an emergency and don't have distilled water, then go for mineral-free water.