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Sleep apnea is a condition that millions of Americans suffer from. It means your breathing stops for a short time during sleep. CPAP equipment is commonly used to help with sleep apnea. However, users aren’t sure if these machines may cause health issues.
Schmidt & Clark lawyers have worked on numerous cases related to CPAP therapy. Today, we’ll talk about how safe CPAP devices are, if they cause pneumonia, and what your options are if CPAP devices negatively affected your health.
Summary of the Key Findings
- According to some studies, CPAP can increase the risk of pneumonia in people with sleep apnea.
- CPAP causes pneumonia due to bacterial contamination of the device.
- You should keep the machine clean to avoid pneumonia.
Does Sleep Apnea Cause Pneumonia?
Sleep apnea doesn't cause pneumonia, although it does slightly increase the risk of developing it. However, several studies found that CPAP equipment used to treat sleep apnea can contribute to developing pneumonia.
The connection between sleep apnea and pneumonia depends on factors such as age and other existing medical conditions. Also, people with more severe sleep apnea are at a higher risk of pneumonia than those with mild sleep apnea cases.
A nationwide population-based study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 9% of the study group with sleep apnea developed pneumonia [1].
Researchers behind this study believe sleep apnea patients find it more difficult to cough mucus in case of lung infection, which leads to higher aspiration.
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“Patients with obstructive sleep apnea were reported to have a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration of pharyngeal contents during sleep. Moreover, immune perturbations secondary to disrupted sleep may render them susceptible to the invasion of pathogens. Both could potentiate the emergence of pneumonia.” Sleep apnea and risk of pneumonia: a nationwide population-based study
Another study done on 34,100 patients over the course of 11 years found that 8.09% of subjects developed pneumonia.
The researchers found there was a 20% increase in pneumonia risk for subjects who were using a CPAP machine [2]. Considering that pneumonia can have a fatal outcome, this is a big increase.
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How Does CPAP Cause Pneumonia?
CPAP can cause pneumonia via humid and warm air that may contain certain microorganisms if the device is not regularly cleaned.
CPAP has some components that make it more comfortable to use, such as the heated humidifier and tubing. They make the air warm and moist to prevent the mouth and nose from being dry.
The problem is that certain organisms thrive in humid environments, such as fungus, yeast, and mold. All of these can be harmful to the patient and cause irritation and even infection in the lower respiratory tract.
As the CPAP machine uses air pressure to blow air into the body, these organisms can go straight to your lungs and can cause bronchitis, respiratory, and sinus infections.
Apart from these pathogens, aspiration can also cause CPAP pneumonia. Aspiration happens when you inhale something apart from air, such as saliva and mucus. Sleep apnea increases aspiration because the airway blockage lets liquids go into the lungs and impairs the cough reflex.
When the fluids enter the lungs, the bacteria in them can lead to infection and eventually pneumonia.
How to Prevent Getting Pneumonia When Using a CPAP Machine
There are several ways patients with sleep apnea can prevent getting pneumonia:
- Clean your CPAP machine — Use CPAP cleaning supplies or hot water and dish soap. Clean the machine weekly, or if you have a cold or flu, clean daily.
- Don’t let water remain in the CPAP machine for more than a few days — CPAP machine users should dry the machine thoroughly after cleaning.
- Use distilled water — Distilled water will prevent infection and the accumulation of minerals.
- Replace filters and masks as recommended by the manufacturer — Masks should be replaced every three months and filters every two weeks or at least once a month.
- CPAP machine sharing isn’t recommended — Don’t buy used CPAP equipment.
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FAQ
What kind of infections can you get from a CPAP treatment?
A CPAP treatment can cause a sinus infection, allergic reaction, bronchitis, lung inflammation, and respiratory infections. This happens due to harmful bacteria in dirty CPAP devices.
Is it safe to use a CPAP while sick?
Yes, it’s safe to use CPAP while sick, as long as the humidifier water chambers and machine filters are kept clean.
Hire a Lawyer to Help Your Case
A CPAP device can greatly help people with sleep apnea. However, these devices can also pose health risks and lead to negative long-term health outcomes. Some CPAP machines have even been recalled due to the increased cancer risk.
If you’ve suffered health consequences after using a CPAP device, you should consult a lawyer.
Schmidt & Clark, LLP lawyers will give a free case evaluation and explain if you have grounds for a legal case. Contact us today and get a professional opinion.
References:
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971026/
2.https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml