Walgreens-OptionCare > Respiratory > Services and equipment > CPAP

Print

Obstructive sleep apnea can be managed effectively using continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. For patients with OSA, a CPAP device delivers a prescribed amount of air pressure through a mask placed over the nose. This airway pressure acts as a splint, keeping tissues in the throat from blocking air movement in and out of the lungs. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping. These pauses in breathing can occur many times during the night. As a result, it is difficult to get a restful night's sleep. Not only that, your body does not get the oxygen it needs to function properly. Over the years, if sleep apnea is not treated, you will increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. You also are at higher risk for accidents while driving a car or operating equipment. In addition to daytime sleepiness, you may experience other symptoms such as an inability to concentrate, memory loss, headaches, and reduced work performance. These symptoms decrease or resolve completely with treatment.

The benefits of CPAP treatments include the following:

• Breathing interruptions and snoring no longer occur
• Sleep patterns return to normal
• Patients feel more rested and alert during the day
• Adequate blood oxygen level may be restored, reducing the serious health risks associated with OSA