CPAP
CPAP is also known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This
therapy is considered to be a traditional therapy for all patients
who suffer from the problem of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). CPAP
is a machine, which blows air at a particular pressure inside the
airway passage of the affected person. This in turn enables smooth
and easy breathing for the patient.
Before the nasal CPAP was invented as a therapy for treating OSA,
the most recommended treatment for sleep apnea would be Tracheostomy.
When performing a Tracheostomy, the physician would create a temporary
opening in the windpipe. The Continuous Positive Air Pressure treatment
in due course of time has thereby succeeded in creating a revolution
in the treatment of sleep apnea.
It has been concluded from various research done on patients being
treated with sleep apnea using CPAP, that this particular device
has been almost 100 percent effective in eliminating sleep apnea
when used correctly.
How does CPAP work?
OSA occurs when the upper respiratory tract muscles including the
tongue suddenly tend to relax during the sleep. This thereby reduces
the oxygen supply in the blood. As a result of this drop in oxygen
level, when the patient sleeps, he or she will evidently be having
a disturbed sleep. What the CPAP machine does is very simple. It
blows in a gush of compressed air opening the patient's passageway
reducing or preventing the apnea.
The air that blows in is at a prescribed pressure, which is necessarily
defined by the physician or a sleep technician. The air is blown
in through a hose which is attached to a facemask. The CPAP machine,
hose and mask helps in opening the air passage thereby, consequently
increasing the oxygen flow. Moreover, one has the added advantage
of getting rid of the snoring habit as well. For many patients,
the effect of CPAP treatment can be noticed within days after the
patient has begin to use the device.
The pressure required is mostly measured in centimeters of water.
The approximate pressure required by most patients or that they
can withstand varies from 6 to 14 H2O. A typical CPAP machine delivers
pressure between the range of 4 - 20 cm of H2O. Before a patient
receives CPAP, they need to go through the overnight sleep
study, also known as PSG. This overnight evaluation is very
important and is a must for providing appropriate treatment.
Advantages of CPAP
1. Safe
2. Effective
3. Immediate relief
4. Studies show that CPAP helps the heart to function better, including
the control of cholesterol
Disadvantages of CPAP
1. Difficult to use, so many patients tend to drop the use of it
within the first year
2. The use of mask may be claustrophobic, uncomfortable or embarrassing.
Only a proper fit can avoid discomfort.
3. The machine may sometimes turn out to be noisy
4. A lifelong treatment using CPAP can be difficult psychologically
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