Sleep well, live well
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AND POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (PAP) THERAPY
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Table of Contents
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. It is caused by the collapse of the airway in the back of the nose, mouth and throat during sleep. Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices can reverse or minimize symptoms of sleep apnea by using air pressure to open the upper airway during sleep. PAP therapy can help you get a full night’s sleep.
KEY POINTS
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disease that can cause poor quality sleep and affect your mood. It also increases the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction and depression.
A variety of PAP mask types and sizes are available.
PAP therapy can help you live a longer, healthier life, with substantially better sleep.
Many people suffering from sleep apnea have low daytime energy.
PAP therapy is the most common and most successful treatment for sleep apnea.
Learn how to use your PAP machine correctly and follow up with your doctor to make sure it is working.
Am I at Risk ?
Excess body weight is the leading risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, but thin people can have sleep apnea too. The risk also increases if you have a large neck, tongue, tonsils or jaw. Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women, but the risk for women increases during and after menopause. The risk of sleep apnea increases as you age.
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airway to collapse during sleep, and air cannot get to the lungs. This leads to a brief arousal from sleep that causes sleep fragmentation and poor sleep quality. This cycle can repeat hundreds of times in one night, but typically these events are not remembered in the morning.
Your bed partner may notice that you snore loudly or repeatedly stop breathing. Untreated sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness and can even affect your mood. Using a PAP device helps hold your airway open with air pressure and allows you to get deeper, more restful sleep.
A pressurized air generator, which maintains the proper level of air flow to keep the airway open. There may be a humidifer attached to the flow generator in some machines.
A mask or other interface, which delivers the air flow to you.
A hose, which connects the two pieces.
TYPES OF PAP THERAPY
PAP therapy is the most common and most successful treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. There are several types of PAP machines. These include CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), APAP (automatically adjusting PAP), and BPAP (bilevel PAP). Your doctor will help determine which one is best for you.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What are the types of masks?
The most common kinds of masks are those that cover your nose, those that cover your full face and lastly a mask type called nasal pillows that go directly in the nose.
What happens when I travel?
You can take your PAP device with you. A travel case for the device and accessories often comes with the machine or can be purchased. Airport x-ray screening does not harm PAP machines.
What happens if I have surgery?
Bring your PAP with you if you have any surgery or procedure that requires anesthesia or sedation.
What do I do if I don’t like PAP therapy?
Your health care provider and home equipment supplier can work with you to fnd solutions to your problems. Once you adjust to PAP therapy, you will enjoy sleeping well again.
Next Steps
- PAP therapy can help you live a longer, healthier life, with substantially better sleep. Your boardcertifed sleep medicine physician will provide instructions on how to obtain your device.
- Use PAP all night, every night. The machine works best when used every time you sleep for the whole time you are asleep, at night and even when napping.
QUESTIONS ABOUT A SLEEP ISSUE? LET’S TALK.
Imtiaz Ahmad, MD, MPH, FCCP
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is a highly qualified physician, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He has been actively serving the community of Lee County, Florida since 2004, with a strong focus on a proactive healthcare approach. Dr. Ahmad has received advanced training from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, State University of New York at Brooklyn, and the University of Mississippi. SOMNAS is a medical facility that is committed to improving and maintaining the health of patients with sleep disorders. The expert team at SOMNAS is known for their compassionate and high-quality care. They offer unparalleled treatment and care to patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, ensuring a better and healthier life for them.
Job Title: Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine
