"Dry" versus "Thick" and when to use saline?

[KJKK8437]

All this talk about humidity and saline has me intrigued. (You know me -- think too much.)

I'm wondering about our use of terms and whether we mean the same things by what we say.

When your child is underhumidified or "dry" (however you do humidity -- machine, HME, au natural) is that the same as being "thick" in your house?

We've switched to the PMV all waking hours. At first when we started, Alex was thicker than normal. Secretions were still there, just stickier and a little whiter -- less runny and clear. Now, he is just plain dry. There are very few secretions in his trach at all. It was the first time I ever thought about how you could have both reactions to drying out -- thicker secretions and less secretions. I never thought about it much before because when Alex thickened up a little bit (provided he wasn't sick, that is), his suctioning needs were less. The slightly thicker secretions were much easier to deal with then the thin, watery stuff that just gurgled in his trach.

So -- what happens when your child "dries out"? And when do you use saline -- for thicker secretions or just plain dryness?

Oops ... Ann, Cindy ... help. I posted this in the wrong forum! So sorry!

Finally -- what happens when your child is dry? Do they have any symptoms, or do they just go on as normal?