Obstructive sleep apnoea is caused by obstruction of the throat that occurs in sleep. This obstruction can be overcome by exerting air pressure in the throat. This is achieved by using a CPAP machine.

This involves the use of a CPAP machine and mask. The majority of patients require a mask that covers the nose and mouth. The mask is secured to the face with straps that go around the head. It is connected with a wide bore tube to the CPAP machine. The mask and tube forms a closed circuit. The machine gently increases the pressure in the circuit. The pressure is transmitted in to the throat and serves to open and splint the airway. Once the airway is open breathing proceeds normally.

CPAP is one hundred percent effective in treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea provided that it is used correctly.

How long should I use CPAP?

The simple answer is you should use it for as long as you sleep, every time you seep (sleep at night as well as long naps in the daytime).  At a minimum you are expected to have at least four hours of sleep and therefore many authorities consider 4 hours usage as the minimum.

How quickly can I expect improvement?

There is great variation in the time it takes for patients to feel better. There are some who feel improvement within a day or two. There are others who may take a week a month or even to 3 months. On average some 60% of people using CPAP would feel improvement within the first week and a further 20% within the first month. Another 10% improved by about three months.

Approximately 10% of patients may not feel great benefit even after long usage. This often has other reasons. It is usually because there are other conditions causing symptoms such as sleepiness and fatigue. If you have not improved after three months you may need further evaluation to find out the precise cause.

How easy is it to use CPAP?

CPAP is easy to use.  Unfortunately, one’s feeling about the ease or otherwise of using CPAP depends on one’s disposition. In my experience, some 10% of patients offered CPAP therapy would reject it outright believing that they will not be able to cope with the equipment. A similar percentage start using it but may not use it properly for a variety of reasons.