Written by Nancy Kirk
December 2, 2024
Winter is usually a time for cozy nights and festive holidays, but if you have sleep apnea, you may be wondering how seasonal changes affect your condition and treatment. Dry air, cold temperatures, and indoor heating systems can irritate your respiratory system, disrupt sleep, and complicate CPAP therapy. Nighttime breathing disturbances may increase by nearly 20% during the winter months compared to other seasons, according to one long-term study. Ensure you understand the effects winter has on your sleep apnea and CPAP routine so you can maintain restful sleep every season.
The Impact of Winter’s Drier Air on Sleep Apnea
As temperatures drop, humidity levels often fall, both outdoors and indoors. It helps if your home has a heating system to remove moisture from the air, creating a dry environment that can irritate the respiratory system. Dry air can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms and lead to discomfort while using a CPAP machine. Here are some signs that you need a CPAP humidifier to improve your therapy results.
- Nasal Congestion: When your nasal passages dry out, they can become inflamed, making it harder to breathe through your nose—a common issue for CPAP users.
- Dry Throat and Mouth: Breathing in cold, dry air overnight can leave you waking up with a sore or dry throat, especially if you use a CPAP without a humidifier.
- Irritation of Airways: Prolonged exposure to dry air can make your airways more sensitive, increasing the risk of discomfort or triggering coughing fits.
Recognizing these symptoms early can help you adjust before they interfere with your therapy.
Benefits of a CPAP Humidifier
One of the most effective ways to counteract winter dryness is by using a CPAP humidifier. These devices add moisture to the air delivered through your CPAP, helping to reduce irritation and improve comfort.
Here’s why humidifiers are a must-have in winter:
- Helps Nasal and Throat Dryness: A humidifier helps to prevent the drying effects of pressurized air, keeping your airways moisturized.
- Improves Sleep: Proper humidity levels can reduce interruptions caused by discomfort, allowing for more restful sleep.
- Customizable Settings: Many CPAP machines come with adjustable humidity settings, so you can increase moisture levels during colder months.
To prevent condensation in your CPAP tubing, consider using heated tubing to keep the air warm as it travels from your CPAP machine to your mask, preventing moisture buildup.
Do You Need a CPAP Humidifier?
When the air is dry, you may face more challenges with your CPAP therapy. These effects can be lessened with CPAP therapy. If you notice any of the symptoms below, we highly recommend getting a CPAP humidifier.
- Increased Dryness: CPAP machines deliver pressurized air, which can already dry the airways. Combined with winter’s low humidity, this can lead to significant discomfort without proper adjustments.
- Mask Fit Issues: Cold weather can dry out your skin, making it harder for your CPAP mask to create a secure seal. Leaks are more likely, which can reduce the effectiveness of your therapy.
- Seasonal Illnesses: Winter is notorious for colds, the flu, and sinus infections. These conditions can block nasal passages, making it harder to use a CPAP or remain compliant.
- Condensation (Rainout): If you’re using a humidifier with your CPAP machine, cold bedroom temperatures can cause moisture to build up inside the tubing, leading to condensation, or "rainout."
Understanding these challenges is the first step in finding solutions.
Do You Need a CPAP Heating Tube?
A heated CPAP tube can make therapy more comfortable by maintaining consistent moisture and warmth, especially in colder months. Similar to a humidifier, it can help reduce dryness, prevent condensation (rainout) in the tubing, and make breathing feel more pleasant. A heating tube can also encourage better therapy compliance by improving comfort. If you’re experiencing cold or dry air discomfort, a heated tube might be the solution.
Enhancing Indoor Air Quality with Room Air Purifiers
While humidifiers address dryness, room air purifiers tackle another common winter issue: indoor air quality. Spending more time indoors means increased exposure to dust, pet dander, and other allergens that can irritate your airways and disrupt sleep. When choosing an air purifier, look for one designed for bedrooms—these are often quieter and energy-efficient.
Benefits of room air purifiers for CPAP users:
- Reduce Irritants: HEPA filters in air purifiers remove particles that can inflame airways, helping you breathe more easily.
- Prevent Respiratory Irritation: Cleaner air reduces the risk of coughing or sneezing fits that could disrupt your therapy.
- Improve Overall Sleep Environment: A healthier sleep environment supports better compliance with CPAP therapy.
4 Tips for Maintaining CPAP Equipment in Winter
Winter weather requires extra attention to your CPAP equipment. Keeping your machine and accessories in good condition can help you avoid therapy interruptions.
Here are some winter-specific maintenance tips:
- Prevent Condensation: If you’re using a humidifier, cold bedroom temperatures can lead to water pooling in your tubing. Heated tubing or a hose cover can prevent this issue.
- Clean Regularly: Winter air tends to carry more dust, so cleaning your equipment becomes even more critical to avoid clogging and buildup.
- Check Mask Fit: Winter dryness can affect your skin, making it harder for your mask to create a proper seal. Adjust straps as needed, and consider using a nasal gel or moisturizer to add moisture to your skin.
- Inspect Filters: Replace or clean your CPAP filters more frequently during winter to ensure optimal airflow.
Lifestyle Tips for CPAP Comfort During Winter
In addition to using the right equipment, simple lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference in your comfort and compliance during winter. Incorporating these habits can create a more comfortable environment for CPAP therapy.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to combat the drying effects of winter air.
- Use Saline Spray: A saline nasal spray before bed can help moisturize nasal passages and reduce congestion.
- Adjust Your Thermostat: Lowering your bedroom temperature slightly can prevent your heating system from drying out the air too much.
- Run a Humidifier in Your Bedroom: This adds moisture to the air, complementing your CPAP humidifier and preventing dryness.
Recommended Winter Products for CPAP Therapy
Winter-specific challenges call for winter-specific solutions. Here are some top product recommendations to help you stay comfortable and compliant:
CPAP Humidifiers
Integrated or standalone humidifiers can alleviate dryness and improve therapy comfort. Most humidifiers need to be replaced every 30 days.
ResMed AirMini Travel CPAP HumidX Waterless Humidifier Cartridges
Price: $31.45
Click here to shop
These 3 or 6 HumidX cartridges for your AirMini CPAP provide waterless humidification for comfortable use and works best in normal climates. For dry or high-altitude areas, try HumidX Plus. This is compatible with N20, N30, and P10 masks and is not for use with F20 masks.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Favorite part of my travel. I love not having to find distilled water during my travels and at home. This was a game changer for me, and I love HumidX.”
— Avis B.
ResMed HumidX F20 Waterless Humidifier Cartridges for F20 CPAP Mask
Price: $37.40
Click here to shop
HumidX F20 cartridges provide waterless humidification for the AirMini Travel CPAP and F20 masks (AirFit F20 and AirTouch F20). These small, portable cartridges use heat and moisture from your breath to deliver warm, comfortable air all night—no water or extra power needed. Lightweight and easy to use, HumidX eliminates the hassle of carrying a humidifier or distilled water. Compatible only with AirMini and F20 masks. Perfect for a mess-free, convenient sleep therapy experience.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This has been a blessing. I’m retired, so we take lots of short and long trips, so I use them more than I realized.” — John C.
ResMed HumidAir Humidification Water Chamber for AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10
Price: $24.65
Click here to shop
The HumidAir humidifier, designed for AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 devices, relieves dryness and congestion. Simply fill it with water, connect it, and adjust the humidity to your preference. It’s an easy-to-clean, reusable water tub designed to pair with a ClimateLineAir heated tube for consistent, temperature-controlled airflow. Enjoy all-night comfort with ResMed’s Climate Control system.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love the humidifier for my CPAP. Mine was old and needed replacement. I am so glad Lofta was on my FSA store so I could purchase my supplies.” — Steven R.
Heated Tubing
Heating tubing helps prevent condensation by keeping air warm as it travels through your tubing. Click HERE to shop all heated tubing.
ResMed ClimateLineAir 11 Heated Hose
Price: $46.00
Click here to shop
Designed for the ResMed AirSense 11, the ClimateLineAir 11 CPAP heated hose offers consistent, comfortable air temperature during sleep therapy. A built-in sensor and compatibility with the HumidAir humidifier help reduce dryness and CPAP rainout.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’ve really enjoyed the addition of a heated hose. Its integration into my CPAP system makes my nightly bedtime ritual and experience seamless.” — Stephen C.
Unlock Better Winter Sleep with Lofta
Winter doesn’t have to be a challenging time for sleep apnea management. With the right strategies, equipment, and support, you can maintain restful, uninterrupted sleep all season long.
At Lofta, we can help you overcome winter-specific challenges with our expert guidance and top-quality CPAP products. From humidifiers and heated tubing to CPAP masks, we have everything you need to stay comfortable and compliant.
Ready to optimize your CPAP therapy this winter? Contact us today to learn more and shop our winter-ready sleep apnea gear. Better sleep is just a call or click away.
