The results of your sleep study are in. Diagnosis: sleep apnea. If lifestyle changes don’t help this medical problem, or if your symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a treatment called nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In this treatment, you wear a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea, according to a 1999 study in the journal American Family Physician. In fact, it works in more than 80% of cases.

How does CPAP work?

A typical CPAP unit has two parts: a sealed mask that fits snugly over your nose (and, in some cases, your mouth as well), and a fan that blows air through the mask into your nose. Sleep apnea is caused by blockage of the airway. The constant flow of air from the fan helps keep your airway open so you breathe normally throughout the night.

Your doctor will recommend an airflow level to start with, based on information collected during your sleep study. It may take a couple of weeks of adjustment to find the air pressure that’s right for you.

CPAP pros and cons

The CPAP sensation may take some getting used to at first. Many people compare the feeling of breathing forced air with trying to sleep while someone gives you mouth-to-mouth. And the pressurized mask can be uncomfortable to wear. Common side effects include the following:

• Skin irritation around the nose and mouth
• Sneezing
• Dry nose and throat
• Claustrophobia
• Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position

More than half of CPAP users stop wearing the mask because it’s too uncomfortable to sleep in, according to a study at the Sleep Disorders Center at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. However, people who overcome the initial hurdles of CPAP enjoy tremendous relief from sleep apnea symptoms.

So why choose CPAP? Simply put, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks. Sleep apnea symptoms such as loud snoring, fatigue, irritability, and mood swings can put a strain on your personal relationships as well as your body. Once you stop using CPAP, the interrupted breathing and other ill effects return immediately. CPAP may also save your life. According to the National Institutes of Health, patients who rely on CPAP to treat their sleep apnea are less likely to die from complications of this potentially life-threatening disorder.

Newer CPAP machines can vary air pressure to conform better with natural breathing rhythms. The bilevel CPAP, for example, lowers air pressure when you exhale. Home-care companies can provide information, equipment monitoring services, and advice on proper setup and use of your CPAP unit. You can make CPAP more comfortable by:

• Using steroid nasal sprays to relieve pain in the nasal passages (a potential side effect of forced air pressure through the nose)
• Running a humidifier in the bedroom to reduce dryness in the nose and throat
• Experimenting with masks in different sizes and shapes for a better fit
• Discussing your options with your doctor or in a sleep apnea support group where you can find helpful advice from other CPAP users.

CPAP remains the most effective treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. If your doctor prescribes it for you, work with him or her until you find the mask and air pressure level that’s effective for you. If the first mask you try isn’t comfortable, experiment with another model. Like any chronic condition, sleep apnea requires you to monitor symptoms and update your treatment plan as needed to keep you breathing regularly through the night.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am and is filed under Sleeping & Snoring. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.