Do CPAP machines really work?

CPAP — or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure — is a type of therapy that applies mild air pressure to a person’s upper airway to keep their airway open so that they can breathe normally while they sleep. CPAP can be used to treat breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea and chronic snoring.1

How does the CPAP machine work?

CPAP uses an air pump and masks to deliver mild air pressure to the upper airway of a person while they sleep. The air pressure can be constant or variable depending on the type of machine. For example – fixed pressure machines, generally referred to as CPAP machines, deliver a constant air pressure while the person is sleeping. Automatic, or Auto-Titrating Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) machines, have an in-built algorithm that delivers a variable air pressure according to the person’s needs.1

The CPAP pump takes in room air and pressurizes it and then transports the pressurized air through a tube and mask and delivers it via the nose or nose and mouth into the upper airway (throat). The pressurized air prevents the upper airway from collapsing, allowing the person to breathe normally while they sleep.

Why it is done

CPAP is the most effective nonsurgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

It is the first treatment choice and is the most widely used. It is considered the gold standard of treatment for sleep apnea.

What next?

If you’re considering CPAP as a treatment option for your sleep apnea, the first step is to undertake a CPAP Rental. If you are not sure that CPAP therapy is the right option for you, then this is an easy no-commitment way to try it at a low cost. Ready to take a CPAP Rental?