Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is treatment provided by a machine that the patient wears at night or when sleeping. It is the most common treatment for sleep apnea caused by blocked airflow in the throat (obstructive sleep apnea), a sleep disorder in which a person regularly stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep.
A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat. The increased air pressure keeps tissues in the airway from collapsing when a sleeping person inhales. The CPAP machine delivers air in one of three ways:
- Through a mask that covers the nose and mouth
- Through a mask that covers only the nose (nasal continuous positive airway pressure, NCPAP)
- Through prongs that fit inside the nose
The mask that covers only the nose is used most frequently.
A bilevel positive airway pressure machine (BiPAP) has two air pressure levels, one for breathing in and one for breathing out. Air pressure for breathing in is usually higher than air pressure for breathing out.
You will have to spend the night at a sleep laboratory to find the air pressure levels that work best for you.
Many patients find BiPAP more comfortable than CPAP because they can breathe out against a lower air pressure. As a result, they have more comfortable sleep and are more likely to continue using the treatment. Patients starting BiPAP therapy usually spend a night at a sleep laboratory where therapists help them find the air pressure levels that work best for them.
BiPAP is also used to treat more complex sleep disorders and progressive neuromuscular diseases such as ALS and severe COPD.
Providence respiratory therapists are experts in sleep disorder therapy. Credentialed respiratory therapists set up CPAP/BiPAP equipment, teach patients about the equipment and offer follow-up care. Their goal is to help patients find the most comfortable, effective therapy and to encourage them to use the therapy as recommended.
Providence offers the SystemOne platform from Phillips/Respironics as well as a wide variety of interfaces (masks) from all leading manufacturers.
Providence Home Medical Equipment provides a wide variety of products and related services for patients in their home. Products are available at our storefront locations or home delivery.