CPAP Machine

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a machine that uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open while you sleep.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe CPAP to treat sleep-related breathing disorders including sleep apnea. CPAP also may treat preterm infants who have underdeveloped lungs.

A CPAP machine includes:

• A mask or other device that fits over your nose or your nose and mouth
• Straps to position the mask
• A tube that connects the mask to the machine’s motor
• A motor that blows air into the tube

You should use your CPAP machine every time you sleep at home, while traveling, and during naps.

Getting used to using your CPAP machine can take time and requires patience. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the most comfortable mask that works best for you.

You may also need help from your healthcare provider to use the humidifier chamber in your machine or to adjust your pressure settings. You may also need to try a different machine that has multiple or auto-adjusting pressure settings.

For the treatment to continue to work, it is important that you clean your mask and tube every day and refill your medical device prescription at the right time to replace the mask and tube.