CPAP MASK

CPAP is an acronym which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.  CPAP is a machine used for individuals with sleep apnea, which is diagnosed with a sleep study.

A patient with sleep apnea has an obstruction in their upper airway.  This obstruction may come from the nasal cavity, the base of the tongue or palatal tissue.  It may involve the entire upper airway passage.  When you use a CPAP machine, it maintains the opening in your upper airway by blowing air via a CPAP mask.  This allows you to breathe adequately while you sleep and alleviates your respiratory disturbance.

There are many types of CPAP machines available as well as a large variety of CPAP masks.  Most machines on the market today are quiet and compact and come with heated humidification and even additional comfort settings.  CPAP masks come in the form of nasal pillows, nasal masks and full face masks.

Complications with Cpap

It is difficult for some patients to adapt to CPAP.  They may experience discomfort with the mask or the amount of pressure they are receiving.  It may take several nights to adapt to their new therapy.  They may only wear their CPAP a few nights a week or for only a few hours a night.  This will reduce the benefit of their treatment.

Various side effects of wearing CPAP are nasal congestion, nasal dryness, nose bleeds, chest congestion, soreness around the face and the development of complex sleep apnea.
Your doctor, in conjunction with your equipment provider, will make changes as necessary to your pressure settings as well as your humidity and comfort setting levels to determine what will work the best for you.

BiLevel Therapy

BiLevel airway pressure is different from CPAP in that you get a lower pressure delivered to you when you exhale.  This is often the form of therapy needed for patients with additional breathing disorders, such as COPD and Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.  But patients with sleep apnea alone may benefit from this therapy as opposed to CPAP.

Both CPAP and BiLevel Therapy are effective treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.