CPAP is a small machine that you use at home every night while you sleep. It increases air pressure in your throat to keep your airway open. When you have sleep apnea, this can help you sleep better, feel better, and avoid future health problems. CPAP stands for "continuous positive airway pressure."
The CPAP machine will have one of the following:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is treatment provided by a machine worn at night or during times of sleep to treat sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which a person regularly stops breathing during sleep for 10 seconds or longer. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat, keeping tissues in the airway from collapsing when a person inhales.
The CPAP machine delivers air through a mask that covers the nose and mouth, through a mask that covers only the nose, or through a nasal pillow that covers only the openings of the nose.
CPAP is the most widely used treatment for sleep apnea caused by blocked airflow in the throat (obstructive sleep apnea).
If using CPAP is not comfortable, or if you have certain side effects, work with your doctor to fix them. Here are some things you can try:
Talk to your doctor if you're still having problems. If these things don't help, you might try a different type of machine.
CPAP works well to treat sleep apnea. If you use CPAP, you may:
If you have a bed partner, they may also sleep better when you use CPAP.
It may take time for you to become comfortable with using CPAP. If you can't get used to it, talk to your doctor. You might be able to try another type of mask or make other adjustments.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat so your airway does not collapse when you breathe in. You use CPAP at home every night while you sleep.
Some people who use CPAP have:
CPAP is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It's the first treatment choice for adults and is the most widely used.
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