CPAP Equipment: CPAP Humidification: Cold Humidifiers
Cold Humidifier Overview
A cold humidifier is also known as a "passover" humidifier.
In this type of humidifier, there is no heating element to warm the water. The airflow from the CPAP machine passes over the water before continuing on through the main hose to your mask. As the air passes over the cold water, moisture is picked up in the air that then passes through your airway. This addition to your basic equipment will reduce irritation in your nasal passages.
Cold Humidifiers FAQs
What is a passover humidifier?
A passover humidifier is a chamber of water added to the CPAP to help moisten the airflow and reduce irritation to the nasal passages.
Air flows from the CPAP, through a short hose to the humidifier, then into the six foot hose to the mask. The air picks up whatever moisture it can as it "passes over" the water in the chamber.
Passover humidifiers may provide sufficient moisture with CPAPs set at lower-end pressures, but if not, there is no way to increase the amount of moisture produced. Furthermore, in cold climates, the water temperature in the chamber will drop, causing the CPAP air to become very cold and reduce the amount of moisture.
What is Humidification?
Humidification adds moisture to the CPAP air, reducing irritation to the nasal passages caused by the increased airflow.
CPAP air is an irritant - to one degree or another - to everyone. In some cases the irritation dries out the nasal passages and may cause bleeding. It may also cause swelling, excess mucous, congestion or sneezing. The irritation also creates a very fertile ground for infections to begin. The irritation may be cumulative, building up over time. The only way to reduce the irritation is to add moisture.
Humidification is therefore a critical part of CPAP Therapy.
What are the benefits of using a humidifier?
Many PAP users experience nasal congestion and dryness of the nose and throat during treatment. This is especially problematic for new users adapting to the treatment. Humidification adds moisture to the air, reducing systems of dryness and congestion.
Nasal congestion also leads to mouth breathing, which perpetuates the problem of dryness. If this is an issue for you, try a heated humidifier.
What is an integrated humidifier?
An integrated humidifier is a component to a specific CPAP that fits directly to the CPAP, eliminating the need for a second hose and in some heated humidifiers, a second power cord.
The advantage of an integrated humidifier is a more compact unit that uses fewer parts.
A disadvantage is that they may produce less moisture if used as passover humidifiers because the surface area is typically smaller. Also, most integrated humidifiers will function only with the CPAP for which they were designed.
You can see if your machine has an integrated humidifier option by reviewing our compare charts.
An example of an integrated humidifier is the PR System One Heated Humidifier as seen below attached to one of the PR System One line of CPAP machines.
What is a built in humidifier?
A "built in" humidifier is designed so that it is part of the CPAP machine and cannot be removed or separated from the CPAP machine. This is similar to an all-in-one unit eliminating the need for a second hose or second power cord. Usually the water chamber can be removed for cleaning or replacement purposes.
The advantage of a "built-in" humidifier is a more compact unit that uses fewer parts. This design also helps to ensure therapy effectiveness by including the heated humidifier which may provide comfort to the CPAP user they may not have received otherwise.
A disadvantage is that they may produce less moisture if used as passover humidifiers because the surface area is typically smaller. Also, since the humidifier is "built in" to the machine, the ability to detach the humidifier is not an option. This can be an issue for frequent travelers. Lastly, if the machine or humidifier stops working, the entire unit must be sent in for repair or replaced, not just the component that failed.
An example of a machine with a built in humidifier is the Sandman Info HC CPAP Machine with Built In Heated Humidifier as seen below.
What is a stand alone humidifier?
A stand-alone humidifier is a component that will work with any CPAP and does not attach directly to the CPAP. It uses its own power cord and typically a short hose is used to connect it to the CPAP. Usually it would sit next to the CPAP machine and is slightly larger than an integrated humidifier.
The advantage of a stand-alone humidifier is superior humidity and control and often a larger water capacity with the chamber. Also, the fact they may be used with any CPAP machine can be useful.
The main disadvantage is that the size is often larger than either a "built in" or integrated humidifier with the short hose are needed to connect it to the CPAP machine.
An example of a stand alone humidifier is the Fisher & Paykel HC150 Heated Humidifier as seen below.
What are the CPAP, BiPAP and Sleep Apnea related billing codes?
- EO601 RR is CPAP rental
- E0601 NU is CPAP purchase
- A7034 is CPAP mask
- A7032 is CPAP Nasal mask cushion
- A7033 is CPAP Nasal pillows
- A7030 is CPAP Full Face mask
- A7031 is CPAP Full Face mask cushion
- A7044 is CPAP Oral Interface
- A7027 is CPAP Hybrid mask
- A7028 is CPAP Hybrid mask cushion
- A7029 is CPAP Hybrid mask nasal pillow
- A7046 is CPAP Humidifier Chamber
- A7037 is CPAP tubing, long and short hoses
- A4604 is CPAP Heated tubing
- A7038 is CPAP disposable filter
- A7039 is CPAP gross particle (foam) filter
- A7035 is CPAP headgear
- A7036 is CPAP chinstrap
- E0561 NU is CPAP Passover Humidifier
- E0562 NU is CPAP Heated Humidifier
- E0470 RR is BiPAP rental
- E0470 NU is BiPAP purchase
- E0471 RR is BiPAP-ST rental
- E0471 NU is BiPAP-ST purchase
Other CPAP items are listed under E1399, which is miscellaneous.
How do I care for my humidifier?
The only care the humidifiers require is that you empty and clean the water tank after use in the morning. Be sure to use distilled water only in the tank.
Why do I need to use distilled water with in my humidifier tank?
Using distilled water helps keep your humidifier clean and mineral deposit free. If you were to use tap water, the water would evaporate to leave a hard white mineral deposit in your tank or lead to mold growth. Cases of lung disease have been connected to using contaminated well water in a CPAP humidifier.* Source
If you can't get distilled water where you live, use bottled water. You will need to rinse your tank out each morning and do not leave standing water in your tank between uses.
What is rainout?
Rainout is the accumulation of water in a CPAP tube due to warm moist air cooling on its way from your CPAP machine to your CPAP mask.
The image below from Fisher & Paykel explains how rainout is formed. Warm moist air leaves the heated humidifier and travels down the CPAP tube. As the air travels down the tube the room temperature can cool the tube and therefore cool the air traveling down the tube. As the air cools, the air released its moisture and condensation occurs, otherwise known as rainout.
Solutions to rainout include:
- Raising the temperature of your bedroom.
- Keep your CPAP machine at the same level as your bed.
- Insulating your tubing with a hose cover like Snugglehose.
- Purchasing a CPAP machine with a rainout reduction comfort feature.
What is a hose cover?
A hose cover is placed over the hose in order to insulate the hose and to make the hose more comfortable. The simplest and most cost effective way to insulate a CPAP hose is to wrap it in an insulating fabric. This enables the hose to remain flexible and adds little weight.
Companies such as Snugglehose provide a cost effective tubing insulation available in several colors and styles. Not only will the covers reduce or eliminate rainout, they also provide a more personal and less institutionalized appearance. An example of a Snugglehose is shown below.
Are prescriptions required for mask, machine and/or humidifier purchases?
Yes. Federal law requires we have a valid prescription on file before we ship your mask, machine and/or humidifier.
We provide many easy ways to get your prescription:
- We can request your prescription for you! When you checkout, just let us know you would like us to request your prescription, or you can log into your account to have us request your prescription.
- Fax your prescription to our Toll Free fax number: 1-866-353-2727, or our international fax number: 713-541-7370
- Email your prescription to cpap@cpap.com
- Upload your prescription in your account, under the prescriptions section
What does a humidifier prescription need to say?
- Contains one of the following words or phrases "CPAP Humidifier", "Humidifier", "HH", "CPAP Supplies", "CPAP Mask", "CPAP", "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", "APAP", "AutoPAP", "AutoSet", "Auto CPAP", "Auto Adjusting CPAP", "Self Adjusting CPAP", "BiPAP", "BiLevel", "VPAP", "BiPAP Auto", "BiPAP ST", "Synchrony ST", "VPAP ST"
- Contains your physician's contact information
- Contains your physician's signature
- Contains the patient's full name
Does this product contain BPA?
Yes, all CPAP masks and CPAP humidifier chambers either contain BPA or their manufacturer has not released a statement calling their products BPA free. Here is a statement released by Respironics:
Government of Canada Takes Action on Another Chemical of Concern: Bisphenol A
April 25th 2008
To Whom It May Concern
This document represents Respironics' position regarding the use of Bisphenol A in Respironics Sleep and Home Respiratory Devices. On April 18, 2008, the Government of Canada, banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate baby bottles, claiming that the exposure to BPA on newborns and infants up to 18 months of age, could potentially present a health risk to this patient group when the polycarbonate baby bottles are exposed to high temperatures.
At this time, we are able to provide the following information to our customer: NONE of our Sleep and Home Respiratory products which are either breathable or skin contacting are intended for use with newborns or infants under 18 months of age. Therefore, Respironics is in compliance with Health Canada's position for exposure for the identified at risk patient population.
Although Health Canada's restriction for BPA does not include products used for ages above 18 months at this time, Respironics is evaluating its product portfolio and will take the appropriate actions to determine and mitigate any potential risk from use of its products or potential exposure to BPA. It should be noted that NOT all polycarbonate resins contain BPA. In response to the direction provided by Health Canada's device licensing division, Respironics will be evaluating all of our Class II and III medical devices to determine if the resins used in the manufacturer of its products contain BPA.
Further, none of our products or accessories using polycarbonate are labeled for exposure.
In closing it is Respironics position that our products do not pots any increased risk of exposure to BPA for our users and thus our products remain safe for use.
If you have any further question regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me at zita.yurko@respironics.com or at 724-387-4120.
Regards,
Zita Yurko
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Sleep and Home Respiratory Division
Respironics, Inc.
