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Key Points
- CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is
a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep your airways open while you
sleep. CPAP is used for people who have breathing problems, such as
sleep
apnea.
- CPAP is the most effective treatment for
obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have
pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. When this happens, not
enough air reaches the lungs.
- CPAP is often the best treatment for adults who
have obstructive sleep apnea. Children also can have this condition. The most
common treatment for children is surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids. If
symptoms dont improve after surgery, or if the condition is severe, CPAP
may be an option.
- If you have sleep apnea symptoms, your doctor may
recommend an overnight
sleep
study. A sleep study measures how much and how well you sleep. It also can
show whether you have sleep problems and how severe they are. Your doctor will
likely refer you to a sleep specialist for the sleep study.
- Your sleep specialist will review the results
from your sleep study. If CPAP will benefit you, your sleep specialist will
prescribe the type of CPAP machine and the correct settings for you. Once you
have your CPAP prescription, you will work with someone from a home equipment
provider to select a CPAP machine that meets your needs.
- CPAP is a long-term treatment. Many people have
questions when they first start using it. Talk to your sleep specialist about
how to handle followup questions. He or she can answer some questions, but your
home equipment provider may need to address others.
- To achieve the full benefits of CPAP, use it
every time you sleepduring naps and at night. Most people should use CPAP
for at least 7.5 hours each night for the best results.
- CPAP has many benefits. It can:
- Keep your airways open while you sleep
- Correct snoring so others in your household
can sleep
- Improve the quality of your sleep
- Relieve symptoms of sleep apnea, such as
excessive daytime sleepiness
- Decrease or prevent
high
blood pressure
- With CPAP, you may fall asleep faster and wake
fewer times during the night. The pauses in breathing that are typical with
sleep apnea wont interrupt your sleep.
- Many people who use CPAP report feeling better
once they begin treatment. They feel more attentive and better able to work
during the day. They also report fewer complaints from bed partners about
snoring and sleep disruption.
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