Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was developed by Colin Sullivan of Sydney Australia in 1981 and delivers a fixed, or stable, pre-determined level of air pressure. Since there is only one pressure, it remains the same during the inhalation and exhalation.

CPAP is typically the first PAP therapy used to treat sleep disordered breathing. It's simple approach to supporting the airway is effective for many sleep apnea patients. However, it may not successfully treat everyone. If your symptoms aren't eliminated after consistent use of the device, contact your doctor to assess whether your pressure needs to be adjusted or if you would benefit from a different PAP option such as an auto-titrating device or a BiLevel machine.