Sleep Apnea is a condition in which airways become blocked while sleeping, interrupting your breathing. The most commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Once patients have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, one of the most common questions they ask is, “Do CPAP machines really work?” After all, these machines look strange and wearing one feels weird at first.
To answer this question, we turned to an expert sleep specialist, Dr. Phillips. Practicing at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, she’s certified in sleep medicine and formerly chaired both the Sleep Institute and the National Sleep Foundation. We asked Dr. Phillips about how well CPAP machines really work, how long it takes a machine to begin working, and more.
Can CPAP Machines Help Treat COPD, Asthma, or Other Lung Diseases?
While CPAP has been proven to be an effective sleep apnea treatment, PAP therapy is also used to treat other conditions as well. BiPAP is often used in a hospital setting to treat COPD with good results. When asked about CPAP as a treatment for asthma, Dr. Phillips commented, “It’s not established for treating asthma, but there is a big overlap between Sleep Apnea patients and asthma patients, probably because obesity is a risk factor for both of them.”
Do CPAP machines really work? Yes, all the evidence, as well as patient testimonials, point to the fact that CPAP offers an effective treatment for sleep apnea. The correct settings, a properly fitting and comfortable mask, and using it regularly are vital to seeing the results you want.