CPAP Therapy – The Gold Standard for Sleep Apnea Treatment

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most effective and most used treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. In this kind of sleep apnea, your airway gets blocked again and again while you sleep. CPAP sends a steady flow of air through a mask. This keeps your airway open while you sleep.

How does CPAP work?

A CPAP machine pushes air through a mask. The mask goes over your nose, your mouth, or both. The air pressure works like a splint made of air. It holds your airway open so it does not collapse while you sleep.

How does CPAP help?

• Stops snoring — It stops snoring and pauses in breathing.
• Helps you sleep better — You sleep better and feel less sleepy during the day.
• Lowers blood pressure — It also lowers the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
• Helps your mind — It helps your mood, focus and memory.
• Lowers your risk of crashes — Fewer crashes from driving while drowsy.

What types of PAP machines are there?

• CPAP — Gives one steady pressure all night.
• Auto-CPAP (APAP) — Changes the pressure on its own as needed.
• BiPAP — Gives one pressure when you breathe in and a different one when you breathe out.

What if you can't use CPAP?

If you cannot use CPAP, other options include:

• Oral appliance — A custom mouthpiece from a dentist that changes the position of your jaw.
• Weight loss — This can make sleep apnea much milder.
• Positional therapy — This helps if your apnea happens mostly in certain sleep positions.
• Surgery — This can help when the cause is the shape of your airway.

Call (512) 931-1575 to talk with Dr. Patel about CPAP or other options.