CPAP is an acronym for "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure" and it is a therapy used in the treatment of sleep apnea.
People who suffer from sleep apnea usually experience interruptions to their breathing each night while they sleep.
The interruptions happen because their airway becomes blocked and air is unable to make it through to the lungs.
The result is at best a poor night's sleep and at worst serious health problems down the road.
CPAP therapy uses a machine, hose, and mask to deliver a constant stream of air to the sleep apnea sufferer's airway.
This stream pushes open the obstructed throat and allows for the continuous passage of air into and out of the lungs.
The air pressure sort of lifts the throat's soft muscle tissue and doesn't allow it to collapse on itself causing a blockage.
This type of therapy has been around for decades and has been very effective at relieving the nightly apneas that patients experience.
This has been beneficial for most patients too because it allows them to get enough rest so they can successfully participate in whatever daily activities they desire as opposed to being too tired to even consider them.
But CPAP treatments come with at least two provisos.
One, the therapy requires a certain amount of CPAP supplies that are not cheap.
CPAP machines can easily run into the several hundred to thousand dollar ranges.
And CPAP masks, tubing, and other accessories can be expensive as well.
Plus, to do it right, you need to have professional help from a doctor or practitioner skilled in the use of these sorts of devices.
Two, the therapy requires some getting used to.
A patient must learn to sleep with a nose or facial mask which isn't anyone's first choice for a sleep aid.
Then they must also accommodate themselves to the airway pressure and learn to relax themselves into sleep with it.
This isn't something you learn to do in just a couple days.
Still, positive airway treatments are effective for those patients that can make the adjustment.
So if you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure treatments might work for you.
Start by having a conversation with your doctor and take it from there.