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Treatment devices for obstructive sleep apnea include CPAP, bi-level positive airway pressure, and a number of so-called intelligent, auto, demand CPAP and PAP devices

CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure, bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP)tm , Sleep disorders, sleep apnea syndrome, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, breathing, breath, mask, nasal mask, treatment device, responsive, smart, intelligent, demand

What treatments are available?

The 'gold standard' treatment prescribed for the management of sleep apnea syndrome and some related sleep-disordered breathing disorders is the use of a device which delivers air under slight pressure to the airway by way of a nasal mask. There are several types of positive airway pressure devices use to treat sleep apnea, including CPAP , responsive and "smart" airway pressure devices. They are all variations on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP.

Breathing-assistance devices

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
"Nasal CPAP" is the treatment of choice for most people with obstructive and mixed apnoea. It is the most reliable and effective treatment in most cases. Hundreds of thousands of CPAP devices are now in use treating obstructive sleep apnoea.

It involves using a small air blower device connected via a hose to a nose mask you wear while you sleep - much like a regular oxygen mask, with straps to keep it in place. Essentially, this devices blows air into your nose to keep your airway from collapsing and creating an obstruction by increasing the air pressure in your airways. It isn't as unpleasant as it sounds - most people get used to the sensation fairly quickly.

Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP™ is one such device) is a variation on CPAP. Instead of providing air at a constant, steady pressure all night, the machines "senses" how much air a person needs, based on inspiration and expiration, and varies its level of pressure accordingly. On inspiration, a higher pressure is needed to prevent apneas, hypopneas, or snoring. But on expiration the patient typically requires less pressure.

Several manufacturers make bi-level airway pressure devices. Bi-level pressure devices are significantly more expensive than regular CPAP, and I've heard that most insurance companies will not pay for it unless your doctor essentially demands it.

Responsive and "smart" airway pressure devices(JH)
In the belief that the reduction of total airway flow would provide greater comfort to the patient and encourage patients to use the airway pressure treatment on a regular basis, several manufacturers have begun to offer a new generation of treatment devices. These devices incorporate flow and pressure sensors and automatic regulation systems. There are three basic approaches. One approach--DPAP (demand positive airway pressure) tries to keep overall pressure requirements low by using high pressure only when there is a specific problem, but this requires a very rapid increase in pressure when a problem is detected. The second approach (Horizon AutoAdjust™, Virtuoso™ )varies the pressure delivered, providing less when problems are absent, and raising the pressure gradually when problems appear. The third approach (Sullivan AutoSet™) gradually raises and lowers the pressure as conditions require, but also changes the pressure within a specific breath if an emerging problem is detected.

As professionals in the field of sleep disorders gain experience with these devices and their appropriate applications, they may provide an additional path to relief for selected patients. As with any new form of treatment, physicians and patients may need to review studies of each device before selecting the one most appropriate to the needs of the specific patient.

To find out more about sleep apnea and other treatments for it, come to the Phantom Sleep Resources Page ^TM (Sleep apnea, snoring & other sleep problems). Then see your doctor or go to a professional in sleep disorders

Includes: Free, self-scoring sleep apnea quiz from Phantom of the Night; articles by patients and professionals; papers covering special topics and needs for sleep apnea treatment; hows and whys of CPAP use; FAQ; and a review of sleep-related sources including a print bibliography and on-line sites.Resources to SleepWell ® presented by Dr. Gila Lindsley, Ph.D., A.C.P.

About Phantom of the Night

To learn more about the wide range of other therapies for sleep apnea including CPAP, Bi-level positive pressure, and smart or automatic positive airway pressure devices: Phantom of the Night has been used by thousands of people with sleep apnea and snoring to work with their physicians to obtain effective relief. See the Table of Contents, read About the Authors, Read Chapter 1, and consider reviews by professionals, patients, and family.

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