Yes, CPAP can cause a sore throat, most often when the airflow dries out your mouth or throat during sleep. Mouth breathing, a leaky mask, nasal congestion, or too little humidification can contribute. A heated humidifier and a better mask fit may help. However, a sore throat can also come from an infection or another cause, so symptoms that persist or worsen should be checked.
Why Can CPAP Make Your Throat Sore?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy delivers a steady stream of pressurized air through a mask to help keep your airway open while you sleep. Although this treatment is effective for obstructive sleep apnea, some people experience dryness or irritation in their mouth, nose, or throat. The discomfort may be most noticeable when they wake up in the morning.
According to Mayo Clinic, common CPAP problems include dry mouth, nasal dryness, congestion, and air leaks around the mask. Several factors related to your equipment and breathing habits may contribute to throat discomfort.
Dry air and insufficient humidification
Air passing through your CPAP mask can leave your mouth and throat feeling dry, particularly if the air lacks enough moisture. When the tissues lining your throat become dry, they may feel scratchy, irritated, or sore. Dry indoor air may also contribute to discomfort. A CPAP machine with a heated humidifier adds moisture to the airflow and may make treatment more comfortable.
Mouth breathing during sleep
If you use a nasal mask or nasal pillows and sleep with your mouth open, air may escape through your mouth during the night. This can increase dryness and leave your throat uncomfortable when you wake up. Nasal congestion from allergies, a cold, or other causes may also make it harder to breathe through your nose, encouraging mouth breathing.
A leaking or poorly fitting mask
A mask that does not fit correctly can allow air to escape and contribute to dryness. A loose mask, an unsuitable mask style, or worn equipment may affect the seal. Tightening the straps too much is not necessarily the solution, because excessive pressure can cause other discomfort. The mask should fit securely without causing pain. If you regularly notice escaping air, ask your CPAP supplier or sleep care team to check the fit.
How Can You Relieve a CPAP-Related Sore Throat?
Improving moisture levels and correcting equipment problems are practical starting points. The right approach depends on whether dryness, mouth breathing, nasal congestion, or another issue is contributing to the discomfort.
Use the humidifier on your CPAP machine
If your machine has a humidifier, check that it is being used correctly and that its settings suit your needs. A heated humidifier adds moisture to the air delivered through the mask. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reviewed clinical evidence showing that heated humidification can reduce several positive airway pressure treatment side effects, including dry mouth or throat and sore throat.
Your equipment may also support heated tubing, which can help manage moisture and temperature during treatment. If the air still feels too dry, ask your equipment supplier or healthcare professional about adjusting the humidification settings. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the water chamber and tubing to keep your equipment in good condition.
Check the mask fit and consider other styles
Inspect your mask for damage and check whether air seems to escape around its edges or through your mouth. Your supplier can help you adjust the mask or determine whether another size or style would suit you better. For someone who breathes through the mouth during sleep, a mask covering both the nose and mouth may be worth discussing. A chin strap may also be suitable for some people who use nasal masks, but it is best to obtain guidance before adding one.
Address nasal congestion and dryness
A blocked nose may make comfortable nasal breathing difficult and contribute to mouth breathing. Saline nasal spray or gel may help relieve nasal dryness or irritation. If congestion keeps returning, discuss its possible cause and suitable treatment with your healthcare professional rather than repeatedly changing your CPAP setup without guidance.
The American Thoracic Society recommends practical troubleshooting measures for positive airway pressure therapy, including checking mask leaks, considering alternative masks, adjusting humidification, and discussing persistent nasal symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Keep your throat comfortable during the day
Drinking enough fluids and having water available when you wake up may help ease the discomfort associated with dryness. Warm or cool drinks, whichever feels more soothing, may provide temporary relief. Throat lozenges may also help some adults, provided they can use them safely. These measures can ease symptoms, but they will not correct an ongoing mask leak or another problem with your CPAP equipment.
Could Your Sore Throat Be Caused by Something Other Than CPAP?
Yes. A sore throat is not always related to CPAP use. Viral illnesses such as colds and flu, allergies, irritation from smoking, and throat infections are among the other possible causes. A sore throat that begins while you are using CPAP may coincide with an unrelated illness, so the timing alone cannot establish the cause.
MedlinePlus explains that sore throats can have several causes and that appropriate treatment depends on what is responsible. Symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, or other signs of illness may warrant medical assessment rather than assuming that the CPAP machine is the only source of the problem.
Should You Stop Using CPAP Because of a Sore Throat?
Do not stop prescribed CPAP treatment or change its pressure settings on your own simply because your throat feels sore. CPAP is an important treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, and discomfort may be manageable by correcting dryness, improving mask fit, or making clinician-guided equipment adjustments.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that CPAP can cause side effects such as dry mouth and congestion, and that a heated humidifier may help with discomfort related to dry air. If the problem makes it difficult to use your machine for the whole night, contact your sleep care team or equipment supplier promptly. They can help assess the problem while keeping your treatment needs in mind.
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Contact your healthcare professional if your sore throat persists for several days, repeatedly returns, becomes more painful, or interferes with eating, drinking, sleeping, or using CPAP. An assessment may help establish whether the discomfort is related to dryness, equipment problems, an infection, or another condition. Tell the clinician when the symptoms began, whether they occur mainly after sleeping with CPAP, and whether you have other symptoms.
Seek urgent medical care if you have difficulty breathing, cannot swallow, are drooling because you cannot swallow, or develop rapidly worsening, severe symptoms. The NHS guidance on sore throats identifies breathing difficulty and inability to swallow as reasons for immediate medical attention. These symptoms should not be attributed to ordinary CPAP-related dryness without urgent assessment.
For many people, CPAP-related throat discomfort can be improved by increasing appropriate humidification, addressing mouth breathing, and correcting mask leaks. Persistent or concerning symptoms deserve medical review, especially when simple comfort measures do not help.