Frequently Asked Questions About PAP Treatment

What is PAP and how will it help me?

PAP is an acronym for Positive Airway Pressure. By applying a positive pressure into the back of your throat, it will keep your airways from collapsing while you sleep. This also referred to as CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. BiPAP is an acronym for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure which gives you a level of pressure as you breathe in and a lower pressure as you breathe out. PAP was applied during your recent sleep study and helped to reduce the number of times you either stopped breathing or had periods where you were not getting a full breath of air. More importantly it allowed you to get a better and safer sleep.

The mask they gave me wasn’t very comfortable, are there different ones I can try?

Yes, there are many different masks. Our CPAP Specialists can work with you to find the most comfortable for you. All of our Specialists are licensed Respiratory Therapists with many years of experience in sleep medicine. They will provide you with training on how to use the equipment with follow-up visits to make sure you are successful.

Is this something I will need to wear for the rest of my life?

PAP therapy can be a lifetime treatment for most. It remains the single most effective treatment for sleep apnea.

I travel a lot; do I have to take the PAP with me?

Today’s equipment is both small and lightweight. Most people take their PAP unit wherever they travel to so that they don’t miss out on good night's sleep.

What happens if I decide PAP isn’t for me?

Whatever your decision is, you should at least try it for a month or two. If after trying it and deciding it’s not for you, you should at least look into other treatment options. Sleep apnea, if left untreated can lead to more serious problems later in life. Whatever you do, you should discuss this with your physician. A visit with a sleep specialist at one of Sleep HealthCenters' clinics may also be beneficial.