| Sleeping with a mask over your face might not be | | | | sometimes used with patients who have other |
| the most pleasant thing to curl up with at night. But if | | | | respiratory problems or who find that breathing out |
| you have severe sleep apnea, a therapeutic device | | | | against an increased pressure is uncomfortable or |
| might be just what you need to get a good night of | | | | disruptive to their sleep. |
| quiet, restful sleep. | | | | The newest form of these therapies |
| What is positive airway pressure? | | | | APAP or automatic positive airway pressure is the |
| The most widely-used, current therapeutic used to | | | | newest form of these therapies. An APAP machine |
| treat sleep apnea is positive airway pressure, | | | | incorporates pressure sensors and a computer which |
| whereby a breathing machine pumps a control | | | | continuously monitors your breathing performance. It |
| stream of air through a mask that you wear over | | | | adjusts pressure continuously, increasing it when you |
| your nose, and mouth, or both. This additional | | | | are attempting to breathe but cannot, and decreasing |
| pressure slants or holes open the relaxed muscles, | | | | it when the pressure is higher than necessary. |
| just as air in a balloon inflates it. There are several | | | | Although FDA approved, these devices are still |
| different versions of this positive airway therapy. | | | | considered somewhat experimental by some people |
| CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. In this | | | | and are not covered by most insurance plans. |
| therapy, a controlled air compressor generates an | | | | Finally, there is a second type of physical intervention |
| airstream at a constant pressure. This pressure is | | | | called a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) that is |
| prescribed by your physician, based on an overnight | | | | sometimes prescribed for those who have mild or |
| test or titration. There are newer CPAP models | | | | moderate sleep apnea. This device is a mouth guard |
| available which slightly reduced the pressure when | | | | similar to those used in sports to protect the teeth. |
| you exhale to increase your comfort and compliance. | | | | In the case of apnea patients, the device is designed |
| VTAP or variable positive airway pressure, which is | | | | to hold the lower jaw slightly down and forward |
| sometimes called by level or BiPAP, uses an electronic | | | | relative to the natural, relaxed position. This holds the |
| circuit to monitor your breathing. It actually provides | | | | tongue further away from the back of the airway, |
| two different pressures, a higher one during inhalation | | | | and may be enough to relieve apnea or improve |
| and a lower pressure during exultation. This system is | | | | breathing. |
| more expensive than a CPAP system and is | | | | |