FAQ's - about CPAP

What is a CPAP?
This is a machine that delivers air under pressure & keeps the airway open.

How does CPAP help?

• It stops the snoring and pauses while breathing
  
• Improves quality of life
  
• Increases alertness
  
• Decreases daytime sleepiness
  
• Improves control of Hypertension, Diabetes and indirectly causes weight loss.

How many types of CPAP are there?

• Fixed pressure (same pressure in inspiration & expiration)
  
• Auto-CPAP (automatic pressure adjustment with each breath)

When is CPAP advised?

• Usually in moderately severe sleep apnoea (AHI>15)

What are other modes of treatment for OSA?

• Surgery - if there is nasal obstruction
  
• Dental appliances

How often do I have to meet the doctor?
After 1 month of use in the beginning then every 3-6 months.

What to measure/ record at each visit?

• Weight,
  
• Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar
  
• Lipid Profile
  
• Evaluation of symptoms of sleepiness.

Do I need to repeat a sleep study or adjust CPAP pressure after sometime?

• Only if there is a substantial wt. loss or gain.
  
• Persistence of symptoms of OSA -snoring, daytime sleepiness.

What are the side-effects of CPAP?

• Irritation, pain, rash, skin breakdown at mask contact points
  
• Dryness of nose/watering from nose
  
• Eye irritation
  
• Recurrent ear & sinus infection
  
• Feeling of suffocation

What to do for the above problems?

• Proper adjustment & fitting of the interface (mask)
  
• Humidification
  
• Careful adjustment of pressure
  
• 'Ramp' function - allows pressure to increase slowly

How long do I have to use the CPAP?

• As of now - continuous use.
  
• However repeated follow-up visits are essential & the treating doc. will decide when you can stop using it.

Care of CPAP machine?

• Keep the tubing and mask clean-can soak in soap-water solution & wash it.
  
• Check with the service provider for change of filter and regular check-up of the equipment.

General FAQ's

What is Apnoea?
Apnoea is complete stoppage of breathing.

When is it abnormal?
When this lasts for more than 10 secs

Why is it important?
This causes a drop in oxygen content of the blood, which results in a series of events including activation of the sympathetic nervous system---- causes rise in blood pressure, increased narrowing of arteries, rise in blood sugar levels, increase in cholesterol, increase in heart rate. Also results in sleep disruption, with frequent awakenings, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness.

What is obstructive sleep Apnoea? (Click here for details)
Is repetitive closure of airways in sleep with associated increased sleepiness in the daytime.

What are the symptoms of OSA?
Loud snoring, with choking in sleep, increased sleep in daytime,passing of urine at night, dryness of mouth on awakening, headache on awakening.
In children - there is increased irritability, poor concentraion, noisy breathing at night, bed-wetting.

Who gets OSA?
Usually more often seen in obese, males > 40 years, but also in those with abnormalities of jaw, mouth ,nose. More common in those who smoke and drink regularly.

What do I do if I think I have OSA?
Meet a Sleep Specialist and get the diagnosis confirmed,and appropriately treated.

I have a lot of jerky movements in sleep, what is the cause?
Depend on what time of the night, do they occur with disomfort or urge to move just before sleep onset, are they assoc with snoring? Cause is possible only after detailed evaluation.

I have been taking sleeping pills for many years, but now can't get sleep with them, what do I do?
Practise SLEEP HYGIENE measures, and seek apoointment with a specialist as early as possible so that you can get help.

I feel very sleepy during the day? What should I do?
Depends what other symptoms you have-snoring, sudden falls during emotional excitement, recent weight gain etc. Need to meet a specialist for confirmation ,diagnosis and treatment.

What is a CPAP?(Click here for details)
Is a device which delivers air under pressure ,used at night during sleep, with a mask on the mouth/nose, and keep the breathing passages open. This prevents snoring, apnoeas and all the sequelae assoc with these.

How long do I have to use CPAP?
At the presene time - this is the most effective treatment. However, if other discoveries are made then you might be able to stop using it.

Will PARANAYAM cure OSA?
NO. But breathing techniques will help to keep the airways clear, and use of CPAP may become easier.

My son's grades are falling with poor concentraion?
Evaluate ,observe his sleep habits, time etc. Poor,insufficient sleep due to many causes can result in these.

I have severe pain in legs when I lie down at night and feel like getting up nd walking or getting them massaged,why does this happen?
If these symptoms get relieved by walking,massaging and occur at bedtime, you probably have RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME. This can easily be treated by a once daily dose of medicine ,after the diagnosis is confirmed by a sleep specialist.

What is a sleep study?
This is a recorindg of brain activity, muscle,respiration,snoring,oxygen satturaiton etc, performed during sleep .

How is it done? (Click here for details)

How do I get an appointment?
You chave to call to make an appointment, Usually it is advisable to meet the specialist once so that it can be planned well.

What is SLEEP HYGIENE? (Click here for details)

What is a SLEEP DIARY? (Click here for details)
This is a daily record of your activities throughout 24 hours ,kept for 7 days or >, the times you sleep and that you are awake.