Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Titration Studies (CPAP)

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was invented by Professor Colin Sullivan in June 1980 whilst a Physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney and is the international gold standard for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivers mild air pressure on a continuous basis to keep the airway continuously open in patients who snore or experience complete upper airway collapse (apnoea) during sleep. CPAP devices apply continuous positive airway pressure throughout the breathing cycle and functions as a ‘splint’, maintaining upper airway patency.

The Institute of Sleep Medicine uses the latest state of the art CPAP equipment for these pressure titrations. A full Polysomnogram (PSG) similar to that used during a diagnostic sleep study is also used during a CPAP titration study. We perform only manual in-lab CPAP titration studies and not “Autoset” titration studies.

Some CPAP machines have other features as well, such as heated humidifiers. CPAP is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, in which the mild pressure from CPAP prevents the airway from collapsing or becoming blocked.

Delivery of CPAP through a nasal mask is the most common modality of treatment, however, other systems exist for interfacing including oral masks and naso-oral masks.

Benefits

Heart disease

By treating your sleep apnoea, you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Sleep apnea is linked to a variety of heart problems because it causes you to stop breathing many times each night. These breathing pauses increase the pressure in your chest, causes changes in your blood pressure and can reduce your blood oxygen levels. This puts an enormous strain on your heart.

Stroke

If you have sleep apnoea, consistent CPAP use can reduce your risk of stroke, one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability. A stroke is a sudden loss in brain function. It occurs when there is a blockage or rupture in one of the blood vessels leading to the brain. People with untreated sleep apnoea are two to four times more likely to have a stroke.

Diabetes

Using CPAP to treat your sleep apnoea can improve insulin sensitivity. Sleep apnoea is related to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, both factors in type 2 diabetes.Untreated sleep apnoea increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

CPAP can help you become a safer driver by reducing your daytime sleepiness. Untreated sleep apnoea makes you more likely to be involved in a deadly crash. Many people with sleep apnoea have a hard time staying awake and concentrating while driving.

Daytime Alertness

Sleepiness and daytime fatigue are common symptoms of sleep apnoea. CPAP can restore your normal sleep pattern and increase your total sleep time by eliminating breathing pauses in your sleep. This will help you wake up feeling more refreshed and boost your energy throughout the day.

Concentration

Untreated, severe sleep apnoea can damage your brain tissue. As a result you may have trouble concentrating. You also may suffer from memory loss. Using CPAP may improve your ability to think, concentrate and make decisions.

Emotional Stability

Untreated sleep apnoea increases your risk of depression. CPAP can help improve your mood, reduce your risk of depression and improve your overall quality of life.

Snoring

Snoring is partial upper airway collapse and by keeping your airway open as you sleep, CPAP eliminates the sound of your snoring. While you may not notice, your bed partner will also benefit from a quieter sleep environment.

Medical Expenses

By improving your health, CPAP therapy can reduce your medical expenses. Sleep apnoea can lead to more health problems and more doctors’ visits. Treatment for serious health risks linked to sleep apnoea such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes can be costly. Medical expenses will decrease when you use CPAP to treat your sleep apnoea.