Steady breathing, deeper sleep
Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy uses gentle air pressure, delivered through a small mask, to keep your airway open while you sleep. It’s an effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone.
CPAP isn’t for everybody.
Masks that won’t seal, noise, dry mouth, feeling closed in, travel. Many people can’t or won’t use CPAP every night, and that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Types of PAP
CPAP
Continuous PAP delivers one steady pressure all night.
APAP (auto-PAP)
Auto-adjusting PAP raises and lowers pressure through the night based on your breathing. It’s a common way to start therapy at home.
BiPAP
Bilevel PAP uses one pressure to breathe in and a lower one to breathe out. It’s used for some people who need it, sometimes after an in-lab study.
Masks come in several styles: nasal pillows, nasal masks and full-face masks. Finding the right fit is one of the biggest keys to comfort.
Benefits of better sleep with PAP
Benefits are strongest when PAP is used every night, for most or all of the time you’re asleep.
More alert days
Less daytime sleepiness is one of the best-proven benefits of PAP, often noticed within the first weeks.
Deeper, more refreshing sleep
Fewer breathing pauses means fewer awakenings, so sleep is less broken and you wake up feeling more rested.
Better mood and quality of life
People treated with PAP report better day-to-day functioning, and studies show fewer depressive symptoms.
Lower blood pressure
PAP modestly lowers blood pressure, with larger drops for some people whose blood pressure is hard to control.
Safer driving
Treating sleep apnea with PAP is linked to a lower risk of motor vehicle crashes.
Sharper focus
Better sleep can improve attention and concentration at work and at home.
Quieter nights for your partner
PAP keeps the airway open, which usually stops snoring and lets bed partners sleep better too.
More energy for healthy habits
When you’re less exhausted, it’s easier to stay active and keep up with the things you care about.
Large studies haven’t shown that PAP on its own prevents heart attacks or strokes, so it’s one part of a broader plan for heart health, not a replacement for it. Results vary from person to person.
How we can help with PAP
We don’t prescribe CPAP or other PAP machines. If PAP is recommended after your sleep test, we’ll share your results with your primary care provider or a sleep specialist, who can prescribe it.
Once you have your machine, we’re here for the hard part. The first few weeks matter most, so we offer follow-up visits to review your machine’s data with you (how many hours you’re using it, how well it’s controlling your breathing and whether there are mask leaks) and help you solve comfort problems. We also hold monthly CPAP classes.
About equipment: PAP machines, masks and supplies come from an equipment supplier and are not included in our visit fees.
Common first-month tips
- Wear it for every sleep, including naps
- Start by wearing it while relaxing before bed
- Use the heated humidifier to prevent dryness
- Use the ramp setting to start at a lower pressure
- Clean your mask daily and replace parts on schedule
- Reach out early if something feels wrong
Alternatives to PAP
CPAP isn’t for everybody, and it isn’t the only option. Depending on your sleep test results, your health and your preferences, other treatments can be used instead of PAP or alongside it.
Weight-loss treatment, including tirzepatide
Losing weight can reduce the number of breathing pauses at night. Tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound) is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. We also offer compounded tirzepatide for weight loss when it’s clinically appropriate for you.
About medication →Oral appliance therapy
A custom mouthpiece, made by a dentist, holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. It’s an option for mild to moderate sleep apnea or for people who can’t tolerate PAP.
Positional therapy
For some people, sleep apnea happens mostly when sleeping on their back. Devices that encourage side-sleeping can help in those cases.
Implant or surgical options
For people who can’t use PAP, an implanted nerve stimulator or airway surgery may be options. We can refer you to a specialist.
Ready for better sleep?
Book a first visit by video. We’ll review your symptoms, decide whether a home sleep test makes sense, and map out next steps.
Book your sleep evaluationOr call (901) 560-5473