What is CPAP therapy? Everything you need to know
You have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed CPAP therapy. At the beginning of treatment, questions and challenges arise.
Learn what you need to know about living with sleep apnea, overcoming treatment challenges, and more.
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is the most commonly prescribed device for treating sleep apnea disorders.
What is CPAP therapy: How it works, preparation and results
CPAP therapy is an effective home treatment for people who can breathe spontaneously but have difficulty breathing while sleeping.
CPAP keeps a patient's airway continuously open and stimulates breathing by pumping air with a machine.
This is what CPAP therapy looks like
CPAP therapy is a CPAP machine that includes:
A mask that covers your nose and mouth, a mask that just covers your nose, or even prongs that fit inside your nose.
A hose that connects CPAP machine
A motor that blows air into the pipe.
A CPAP device can consist of:
A device to be worn on the face such as
full face mask that covers the entire face
full face mask that covers the nose and mouth
nasal mask that covers the nose
nasal pillow that sits under the nose
nasal forks that go into the nostrils
a motor that pumps the air Hose that connects the device to the mask
A sleep doctor or pulmonologist usually first monitors the patient in a sleep laboratory to determine the optimal air pressure for the person. The doctor will help choose the right mask that suits the individual's needs. The patient must sleep with the mask on each night while the CPAP machine is on.
Side effects of CPAP therapy
Some of the most common side effects of CPAP therapy are the following:
The feeling of claustrophobia under the CPAP mask
Stuffy nose or runny nose
However, these side effects can be prevented if you check that your mask is properly fitted. The above-mentioned nasal symptoms can be alleviated by warming the CPAP air.
Most CPAP machines come with a heated humidifier, so be sure to use that.
The feeling of claustrophobia under the CPAP mask
Stuffy nose or runny nose
However, these side effects can be prevented if you check that your mask is properly fitted. The above-mentioned nasal symptoms can be alleviated by warming the CPAP air. Most CPAP machines come with a heated humidifier, so be sure to use that.
Significant decrease in daytime sleepiness.
How effective is CPAP therapy?
CPAP therapy , CPAP has been shown to be very effective in keeping the airways open in people with sleep apnea. The benefits include
Normal sleep patterns
Improved sleep quality
Better concentration and memory
Alertness during the day
Elimination of snoring
Reduction in high blood pressure
Improved overall health
Improved quality of life