Most Common CPAP Questions including “What Does CPAP Mean?”

Since March includes Sleep Awareness Week and World Sleep Day, it’s time to answer some common CPAP questions. From understanding what does CPAP mean, what the CPAP machine does, the benefits of CPAP therapy, and more, this article will help you to better understand CPAP.

What does CPAP Mean?

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) is the effective treatment medical professionals prescribe to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea. This sleep disorder causes your breathing to stop and start during your sleep repeatedly.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep apnea diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with OSA, that means not enough air reaches your lungs when you sleep because your airways close up as you inhale.

What Does a CPAP Machine Do?

In the simplest of terms, a CPAP machine helps you to breathe easier during sleep. The device prevents your airways from collapsing by increasing air pressure into your nasal passages. The pressure suppresses the airway obstructions and restores normal breathing.

Every time you plan to sleep, day or night, you should use your machine.

How to Know Which CPAP Machine to Buy?

A medical professional will prescribe you a CPAP machine that should work best for your condition. Then you will have access to a sleep technologist that will help you use the device, including helping you to adjust the pressure on your device. Your CPAP therapy will take you a few days or up to a few months to adjust.

If you feel the machine is not helping or is uncomfortable after repeated uses, talk to your doctor or sleep technologist with your concerns or treatment options.

What is included with a CPAP Machine?

Your machine will include some or all the following:

A mask that will cover your nose and mouth (full face mask)
A mask that only covers your nose
Prongs that fit over your nose (instead of a mask)
Tubing that connects the mask to the CPAP machine
An air motor

Will the CPAP Machine Help with My OSA Symptoms?

Yes, by working with your doctor on treatment options and after the adjustment period, you should begin seeing your OSA symptoms lessen.

This can include:

Airways kept open during sleep
Improve sleep quality
Reduce high blood pressure
Reduce or eliminate snoring
Reduce or eliminate daytime sleepiness

How Long Will It Take My Sleep to Improve?

The adjustment period for CPAP therapy will usually take a few weeks or up to a few months. If you feel worse after a few weeks of use, contact your doctor or sleep technologist with your concerns.

What Do I Need to Know About CPAP Machine Equipment?

Keep these tips in mind when using your machine.

Inspect the machine

Regularly inspect your machine to make sure all parts are in good shape. You may need to replace the tubing or other parts over time to ensure your device runs smoothly.

Clean the machine

Clean the mask, tubing, and headgear once a week. If you’re not sure how to clean your device, many manufacturers include simple cleaning videos on their websites.

Uncomfortable CPAP Mask

If, after repeated adjustments and checking with your sleep technologist, you may need a different CPAP mask style to help you sleep more comfortably.

Know Where to Shop

You now understand what CPAP means, which CPAP machine to buy, the adjustment period for CPAP therapy, and more. Now you need to know where the best place is to shop for quality CPAP machine items.

Making sure you buy quality CPAP machines, parts, and accessories will help your machine run effectively. The GoCPAP website includes various CPAP machines, mask accessories, machine parts, and more. Allowing you to shop for the right equipment that will work best for you and your machine. Shop now!