Welcome to CPAPHelp.org!
This website is still
under development.
Please visit our sister
website AboutSleepApnea.com for more
information while this website is being built.
What is CPAP?
CPAP stands for
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.
These means there is a constant airway pressure applied to the
airway when connected to the CPAP machine.
CPAP is used to treat
obstructive sleep apnea.
CPAP requires several
things. First is the CPAP
machine. This is essentially a
fan which is controlled by a computer.
The fan creates airflow in a semi-closed system, and this airflow
creates a certain level of pressure.
The computer is able to measure the pressure and change the airflow
in order to modify the desired pressure.
The CPAP machine needs
to be connected to the patient.
This requires some tubing which connects the machine to the
interface. The interface is
attached to the patient. The
most common interface is a nasal mask, but there are other options
including a full face mask (which covers the nose and mouth), nasal pillows
(which plug into the inside of the nose), and newer variations called
hybrid masks (which connect to the nose and mouth.
There are many benefits
of using CPAP to treat sleep apnea.
However, there are often small problems at the beginning of therapy
that need to be worked out.
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