""

about | Maps & Directions | contact | admissions | faculty | alumni & development | library | Tech Support Center | dean's office | Policies & Procedures

department of Medicine

Section of pulmonary and critical care medicine

Information for Patients -

Treating Sleep Apnea with Nasal CPAP

 

Nasal CPAP is frequently recommended as a treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is a machine that blows enough air and gives a certain amount of pressure to prevent the throat from closing during sleep. In order to try CPAP, you should spend a night in our sleep laboratory where our technicians adjust the pressure on the CPAP machine. The same electrodes and sensors will be applied to your face and body as they were during the initial sleep study.

 

Nasal CPAP consists of the placement of a snug-fitting mask over your nose that will be connected to a machine that will generate the air. The noise of the machine is very low and usually does not cause any disturbance. The amount of pressure on CPAP will be started at a low level and increased slowly until you no longer have abnormal breathing or snoring during your sleep. In the morning you will be questioned about your sleep quality and whether you are willing to use nasal CPAP.

 

Possible side effects of CPAP include runny, stuffy, or dry nose, discomfort, and facial irritation from the nasal mask or air pressure. No serious or long-lasting side effects have occurred during the use of nasal CPAP; however, the possibility of unexpected reactions cannot be fully excluded.

 

If the nasal CPAP is effective and you agree to use it at home, a CPAP unit will be ordered and a homecare company will deliver a CPAP machine to your home. You will be instructed on its use and maintenance. Then, you will need to use the machine every night and throughout the night – every time you sleep – for the CPAP to be effective. A follow up appointment with a sleep specialist is recommended to discuss any problems or side effects you encounter as you are using your machine.

 

If not already scheduled, call our Sleep Disorders Center to make a follow up appointment as soon as you get your equipment, and do not hesitate to call our Center if you have any questions at (215) 707-8163.