Snoring and Sleep Apnea Solutions

PAP Therapy

Medical therapy involves some form of positive airway pressure (PAP) device that keeps the airway open by sending a steady flow of air through a mask you wear when you sleep. A doctor usually will prescribe PAP therapy following an overnight sleep study, or sometimes during, if OSA is severe enough.

While effective, PAP therapy can be invasive and it's important to discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor in order to find a treatment you can stick with.

Different types of PAP machines

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, delivers a steady stream of oxygen into the mask. It is a highly effective treatment for people with moderate to severe OSA, and can eliminate loud snoring. It can also improve quality of sleep, even after one night. Studies show that in patients with brain damage due to OSA, treatment with the CPAP machine has been effective in restoring some of the lost brain tissue.

Even though CPAP is an effective treatment, compliance rate is low, with about 40 percent of patients who continue to use the device. If you are having complications with your CPAP machine, discuss other treatment options with your doctor.

Some patients stop therapy after their symptoms start to clear up. OSA is a condition that must be managed. It's important to realize that CPAP therapy is not usually a temporary solution for this chronic condition, and it may be necessary to use the CPAP therapy for ongoing care.

BiPAP

Unlike a CPAP, which releases a steady flow of oxygen into the airway, a BiLevel PAP, or BiPAP, has two pressures: a lower pressure for exhalation and a higher one for inhalation. This helps expel the pressure in the lungs, and is also used in patients who also have lung disease or have high levels of carbon dioxide in their bodies.

Some people prefer it over a CPAP machine because it makes it easier to exhale against the constant airflow pressure, and it is just as effective as a CPAP machine.

APAP

Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) is automatically adjusts air pressure delivering oxygen based on the amount of oxygen you need at that point in time. For instance, you may need more oxygen when you are in REM sleep, when your muscles are completely relaxed as opposed to non-REM sleep when you may not need as much pressure.

What are the side effects of PAP therapy?

Getting used to the PAP machine may take some time and a lot of patience. Side effects of PAP therapy vary from individual to individual and involve some mild discomfort at first. Common side effects include:

Nasal stuffiness and sinus irritation
Mouth discomfort
Headache
Skin irritation
Dry throat and eyes
Noise from the machine

For many of the symptoms, it is important to find a mask that fits properly in order to reduce discomfort. There are several different mask options available for you to choose from. Using a heated humidifier also helps reduce nasal discomfort, and can help you avoid sinus irritation.

Newer PAP machines are more quieter and are designed to reduce these side effects, so it is important to find the model that is best for you.

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