CPAP Mask drooling is a very annoying, irritating side effect of CPAP therapy which many people seem to suffer from (at least a few times). While the drooling may not occur every single day, most CPAP users will have experienced at some point in their lives.
What is Drooling?
Drooling is defined as the flow of saliva from the inside the mouth to the outside. Drooling can occur due to a variety of reasons such as:
- Inability to swallow
- Excess production of saliva
- Problems with swallowing
- Not being able to retain the saliva within the mouth
CPAP Mask Drooling – Causes
Waking up in the morning to observe a big spot on your pillow? It would have been caused due to CPAP Mask drooling during the night. While CPAP Mask drooling is not harmful in anyway, it is irritating. As of today no conclusive evidence is present that shows with certainty what the real cause of CPAP Mask drooling is. But it is hypothesized that:
- It may be because of mouth breathing.
- It may be due to the use of a chin strap which does not fit properly, hence leaving a little space free between the lips.
- It may be due to REM sleep, where because of the non-responsiveness of your muscles you may have started to drool.
While the exact cause is not known, there is nothing to worry even if you started to drool after starting CPAP therapy. CPAP Mask drooling is completely harmless and usually stops by itself for most people.
CPAP Mask Drooling – Cures
As stated above, this condition usually sorts itself over time. However if you really are irritated by the drooling, get a chin strap and tie it tightly to ensure that there is no space for your saliva to come out from. Another option is to sleep in different positions to find the best anti drooling sleep position.
