While in the previous post I explained why ENS can affect the sleep, in this post I will explain how a CPAP machine can help you to sleep better.
There are two types of machines, the CPAP which is normally designed for obstructive sleep apnea and servo ventilation which is designed for central sleep apnea.
A CPAP is a machine which sends pressurized air at constant pressure, generally between 4 to 20 cmH2O through a mask. The air expands the upper airways in order to prevent the obstructive apnea. Of course, this machine can also help you if in addition to ENS you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea which is more common than you think ( 40% of men older than 40 years). But this machine can also help you to breath at night. The pressure and the velocity of the air increases the airflow sensation which is good for respiratory reflex and can decrease the central sleep apnea. In addition, you can choose a CPAP with a humidifier bloc, which can humidify your nose well with correct settings and a heating pipe.
A servo ventilation works differently: there are two levels of pressure, one for the expiratory pressure and the second for the inspiratory pressure. There are two other settings, the breath per minute (BPM) and the inspiration time, which is often between 1,5s and 2s. This machine litterally breathes for you. But a breath to be initiated, the difference between the two levels of pressure should be high enough, more than 10 cmH2O which is not comfortable. Moreover, this machine is difficult to obtain. You need a polysomnography record which shows multiple central apnea.
Then if you have sleep problem related to ENS, you can try CPAP machine first with a good humidifier bloc. I also advise you to use a nasal mask like on the picture below. I feel that it's better to retain humidity in the nose.
If CPAP does not improve your sleep, you can consider the servo ventilation. But I have personally never tolerated it and even with high difference of pressure it is not able to maintain my oxygen saturation. I wake up after 2 or 3 minutes due to the lack of breathing airflow.
You have some very interesting and useful info on your site, and I appreciate the research you’ve done. Do ENS patients mainly suffer from central sleep apnea? My diagnosis is mixed—total ENS on the right and part hypertrophic turbinate/part ENS on the left. I have UARS as well as obstructive sleep apnea (tongue block). I do not have central sleep apnea. My right nasal side does not pull air well so the left side does most of the work. My left side is also deviated to the left. At night, my left side blocks up from being slammed by air constantly. Both sides dry out. I then have a terrible time with UARS that not even CPAP with humidifier can help. I’ve been experimenting with cotton to simulate turbinates. I’d love to get a flowgy analysis so I can have a better understanding where to place the cotton. If I have success with it, I may then consider implants. Do you known where I can get a nasal flow analysis? I reside in northern CA part time.
Hello, first of all, thank you. The Scientifique paper of Dr Houser describe a link between ENS and central sleep apnea here.
It seems that the lack of nasal sensation induces a lack of respiratory command and finally central sleep apnea or hypopnea.
You can have the CFD performed by Flowgy, you just need to send them a recent CT-SCAN, more info here.
Thank you very much for the links and explanations on my questions. I’ll get a new CT-scan and get the CFD analysis done because my situation is a bit of a mystery—I failed Nayak’s cotton test.