Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is the most effective treatment for obstructed breathing during sleep. Small amounts of air are applied to the nose by a mask strapped over the head or a forked tube in the nostrils. The air is supplied through a plastic hose connected to a book-sized blower at the bedside. The air does not contain any more oxygen than normal air, but it is at slightly higher pressure (about 1/30th that of an aquarium pump.) For those who cannot breathe through their mouth, or can only breathe through nose and mouth, larger masks are available.

Since breathing control is very sensitive, it is important to determine the correct amount of pressure to relieve the obstruction. Too little, and the airway will close off, resulting in lower oxygen levels, heart strain and other serious complications. Too much pressure can affect the body’s chemical sensors and actually produce more pauses in breathing. The technologist will generally start the pressure at the lowest comfortable setting and increase it gradually while you are asleep. Besides correcting oxygen levels and breathing pauses, the optimum pressure will help restore normal sleep patterns and decrease disruptions. This technique may require some trial and error, so it is important that the technologist has adequate time to perform this procedure.

Once the ideal pressure has been determined (and reviewed by a doctor), a prescription can be written for a home device to be used while sleeping. A large number of mask types are readily available, and they are all interchangeable with any machine. Your own doctor can help you find a company that provides and maintains these devices.