What is CPAP Therapy and How Does It Work?

CPAP is a medical device; its full form is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). The treatment of patients using CPAP is CPAP therapy, and yes, it does work.

It is a noninvasive treatment mostly used for patients suffering from sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is the condition in which breath interruptions cause disturbance in the sleep of the patient.

Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea across the globe. It induces other problems like lack of sound sleep, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and even strokes.

CPAP therapy is highly effective in managing sleep apnoea. In this article we will discuss in detail the CPAP therapy.

Understanding CPAP Therapy

The therapy involves the use of a CPAP machine that gives a constant supply of compressed oxygen to patients through the mouth or nasal cavities.

The therapy is used to keep the airways open and prevent any blockage in the air passage. It helps patients with uninterrupted sleep and sound sleep.

The CPAP machines contain the following parts:

The motor: The motor generates the pressurised air.

The mask: The mask is worn over the mouth or nasal cavity of the patient for inhaling oxygen.

The hose: The hose connects the motor, pump, and mask together.

How does CPAP therapy work?

CPAP therapy works by stabilising the breath of the patient. It gives seamless air to the upper airway passage of the patient. It optimises the sleep of the users. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of the therapy:

Setting up the machine: Setting up the machine is simple and easy. If you find any difficulties, you can take the help of expert technicians. The device is designed and programmed to prescribe air pressure as per the patient's requirements.

Delivering air pressure: Once the machine starts working, the pressurised air is pushed through the hose into the mask. The patient can easily breathe the air, and it helps the patient to rest properly and sleep soundly.

Keeping airways open: The air pressure works to open the air passage in the throat and keep it open during sleep. This ensures sound, uninterrupted sleep. The pressurised air also prevents collapsing of the air passage.

Who Needs CPAP Therapy?

CPAP therapy is mainly used for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It is also used for patients suffering from central sleep apnoea (CSA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, and other conditions.

CPAP therapy is effective for any disorder where the interrupting breathing can disturb the sleep and health of the patient.

What are the benefits of CPAP therapy?

Improve sleep quality: Sound sleep is the basic necessity for good health. Interruptions in sleep cycle can cause high blood pressure, fatigue, and other health issues. The major reason for sleep interruption is interruption in breathing. CPAP therapy offers seamless breathing of fresh oxygen to the patient. It induces uninterrupted, hence sound sleep to the patients.

Reduced health risks: Our overall health is based on our activities, diet, and sleep. That means sleep contributes to one third of our total health. Lack of sound and deep sleep can increase your heart rate, temperature of your body, blood pressure, heaviness in the head, headache, fatigue, and much more. It is one of the major reasons for heart diseases.

CPAP therapy helps the patient with their sleep cycle. And hence help the patient avoid a lot of health issues.

Increased energy levels: Sound and deep sleep are also responsible for rejuvenation of your entire body and an increase in overall energy levels. Increased energy levels also contribute to the overall productivity of the patient at work and home.

Improved focus and mood: Focus and elevated mood are in direct proportion to the quality of sleep and energy levels. With improvement in health and energy level, the CPAP therapy also contributes to enhancing the mood and level of concentration in the patient.

How to choose the right CPAP?

Ease: The design of the CPAP must be simple and easy to use so that the patient is comfortable while wearing the mask.

Quality: The material quality of the CPAP mask must be skin-friendly to avoid rashes, allergies, and other complications.

Compatibility: The mask must fit the face of the patient, and it should be adjustable.

Function: The machine must provide a prescribable level of pressurised air as per the patient requirement.

Use: It should be easy to clean, maintain, and use on a daily basis.

Conclusion

CPAP therapy stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; it pushes pressurised air through the airways of the patients having difficulties in breathing.

It works for the patients suffering from sleep apnoea. Besides obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the therapy also works for central sleep apnoea (CSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other heart conditions.

Just make sure that the machine that you use must be from a reputable brand with advanced design, easy to use, and effective for the patient.