For those that are not familiar with the term CPAP, it is the name of a medical device short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP). This machine was designed to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe easily during sleep by pushing pressured air to gently move any collapsed soft tissue in the palatial and throat areas of the body.
These machines often are equipped with water tanks for humidity while in use. This is to provide comfort for the user and prevent any dryness or nosebleeds that could occur while air is flowing through nasal passages.
Manufacturers recommend using distilled water since it lacks any type of mineral content, which could cause limescale buildup within the equipment. Another reason is to prevent any type of bacterial growth from occurring in the humidifier element as well as the hose and mask since tap water can potentially harbor harmful bacteria.
While most people will buy gallons of distilled water at the grocery store to use just for their machine, it’s often asked “can I use reverse osmosis water for a CPAP machine?” According to the Valley Sleep Center, “Use only distilled, sterile, bottled or reverse osmosis water.” One of the reasons why RO water is recommended is because it is devoid of any type of mineral content and other contaminants. The membrane in an RO system only allows pure water to come through while expelling contaminants such as arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, lead, and viruses.
Overall, using reverse osmosis water in a CPAP machine prevents inhalation of contaminants mentioned above and mitigates possibilities of infection. It will also keep the humidifier tank free of limescale buildup which could impede the machine’s ability to work properly.
But if you don’t have a reverse osmosis system, it’s as easy as ordering a Premier RO System from Aquasureusa.com. Installation isn’t complicated at all, directions, and available Youtube videos will show anyone step-by-step on how to properly install one for any home. In addition to using the water for a CPAP machine, water from the Premier will taste so much better than regular tap water. It’s free of contaminants, which means it’s great for cooking and making that perfect cup of coffee.
