“CPAP remains to be thought-about the first-line remedy for obstructive sleep apnea,” says Atul Malhotra, MD, a sleep apnea researcher, pulmonologist, sleep drugs specialist, and analysis chief of pulmonary, crucial care, and sleep drugs at UC San Diego Well being in California. CPAP gadgets ship pressurized air by means of a masks worn over your nostril or your nostril and mouth, preserving your airways open throughout sleep.
A analysis overview evaluating OSA remedies asserts that CPAP remedy is the best choice for bettering daytime sleepiness and decreasing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). A measurement of the common variety of occasions you cease respiratory throughout sleep, AHI is the first metric used to diagnose the severity of sleep apnea. CPAP reduces AHI by almost 31 respiratory disruptions per hour.
Fewer respiratory interruptions results in higher sleep high quality, serving to individuals with OSA get up feeling extra rested, have much less daytime sleepiness, and expertise temper enhancements.
Although CPAP doesn’t straight deal with different facets of your well being, considerably bettering your sleep high quality can have many downstream advantages. Constant CPAP use could supply long-term enhancements resembling:
- Improved blood stress
- Lowered threat of coronary heart illness, coronary heart assault, and stroke
- Protected cognitive perform (together with reminiscence and pondering)
CPAP: The Downsides
Whereas efficient, CPAP remedy has its drawbacks.
“There’s some stigma related to CPAP machines,” says Dr. Malhotra. “Some individuals don’t need others to know they’re sporting it to mattress at evening. It’s not perceived pretty much as good for intimacy, and there might be irritation on the nostril and face from the masks.”
Along with typically being uncomfortable to put on, CPAP machines will be cumbersome when touring, each of which make constant use troublesome.
Some customers additionally expertise congestion, runny nostril, dry mouth, or nosebleeds when utilizing a CPAP machine. These unwanted effects sometimes happen when the air is chilly and dry and may usually be resolved by including a humidifier to your bed room.
Regardless of these drawbacks, CPAP remedy is commonly nicely tolerated and may have transformative advantages for individuals with OSA, says Malhotra.
