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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a mechanical means of achieving airflow when normal breathing is impaired through physical damage to the airway or by a condition that affects breathing. It is a common treatment for those who are suffering from sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing frequently stops during the sleep cycle. This halted breathing affects sleep quality, and a person's overall rest achieved during sleep is diminished. CPAP is sometimes used to assist with breathing in other conditions affecting respiration, including congestive heart failure.
The system was originally developed by Colin Sullivan while doing sleep research in Australia in the early 1980s. He discusses its origin in an interview titled "Sleep Pioneer Remembers the Early Days of CPAP" (see References). - CPAP machines are, in principle, fairly basic machines. They consist of an air pump (sometimes called a flow generator), a tube that is attached to the air pump and a component that attaches to user's face, which is generally called an interface. The design of the interface depends on the machine and the needs of user. A common design for the interface is a full mask that consists of a plastic mouthpiece that covers both mouth and nose, attached to a harness that fits over the head. Other designs may be for the nose or mouth only. Some wearers can find the full mask to be claustrophobic and can opt for a non-mask interface that attaches just to the nose (nasal pillows). The different designs can help the users to achieve a greater degree of comfort while wearing the interface, which improves the overall therapeutic value of CPAP treatments. The types of interfaces and their purpose are discussed in the article "CPAP Interfaces: Helping Your Patients Find the Perfect Fit." (See References.)
- Normally, when a person is asleep, the tissue in his throat remains partially tensed. This allows for a continued, free flow of air to be maintained because the airway remains open. In those who have sleep apnea, the tissues in the throat relax too much and the airway becomes momentarily blocked. This is what causes the frequent stops in breathing a sleep apnea sufferer experiences. It can also lead to very brief moments of wakefulness that interrupt the sleep cycle. The function of the CPAP machine is to keep a flow of air moving into the airway. This pressurized air flow keeps the airway open, preventing the sleeper from experiencing the breaks in breathing while sleeping. This improves the overall duration and quality of rest.
