APAP is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder where the airways become blocked as the muscles in the throat relax when you sleep. APAP stands for auto-adjusting positive airway pressure and provides a more advanced and flexible alternative to CPAP.
Similar to CPAP, APAP sleep apnea treatment uses positive airflow pressure to keep the airways clear of obstruction. This prevents the frequent breathing pauses caused by obstructive sleep apnea [Link: https://www.sleepquest.com/a-guide-to-identifying-obstructive-sleep-apnea-signs-practical-advice/] to help improve your sleep quality. But it also offers additional features that are better suited to certain users.
How Does APAP Work?
An APAP sleep apnea device has advanced sensors that monitor breathing patterns while you sleep. When the sensors detect increased airflow resistance, software within the device allows for an increase in the pressure setting to prevent the airways from becoming blocked.
Once the sensors detect breathing has normalized again, the software reduces the pressure setting back to the minimum necessary levels.
The purpose of APAP therapy is the same as CPAP and BiPAP, the other two main positive airflow pressure (PAP) devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. It prevents the collapse of the muscles in the throat that block the airways during sleep.
CPAP uses a fixed pressure setting and BiPAP has a separate pressure setting for inhalation and exhalation. An APAP device has a minimum and maximum pressure setting programmed into the device, but auto-adjusts between these two settings in real time according to breathing patterns.
What are the Benefits of APAP Sleep Apnea Treatment?
APAP sleep apnea treatment works alongside your natural breathing patterns to reduce the breathing pauses caused by sleep apnea. This in turn reduces the number of times you wake for air every hour to improve the quality of your vital restorative sleep.
One of the main benefits of APAP is the adjustment of pressures depending on the stage of sleep one is in. During REM sleep, apnea is at its worst and the APAP increases pressure to alleviate disordered breathing. This occurs roughly 20% of the night. For the other 80% of the night, a lower more comfortable pressure is supplied by the APAP device.
The following are further benefits of APAP sleep apnea treatment:
1. Better Pressure Tolerance
CPAP tends to be the initial PAP device recommended to treat obstructive sleep apnea. However, not everyone can tolerate the fixed pressure setting used by CPAP. Some people find it particularly difficult to exhale against the fixed air pressure.
APAP uses the minimum air pressure setting required to keep the airways clear of obstruction. This can prove a better solution for those who find the fixed pressure of CPAP difficult to tolerate.
2. Reduces Feelings of Claustrophobia
APAP sleep apnea treatment can also limit the sensation of claustrophobia that some users may feel with CPAP. Although wearing a mask overnight through which the pressurized air is delivered is often the main source of claustrophobic feelings, high pressure can also cause this.
Therefore, just as finding the right mask is key to removing feelings of claustrophobia, using the appropriate PAP device can also make a difference. APAP uses the lowest pressure setting necessary for effective treatment, which can make it feel less claustrophobic.
3. Adjusts to Changes Throughout the Night
Our breathing patterns can change throughout the night due to our sleeping position. When you sleep on your back, gravity is more likely to pull the throat muscle tissue into the airways and cause a blockage.
APAP adjusts the pressure setting in response to changes in breathing patterns caused by your sleep position. Therefore, APAP could prove particularly beneficial if you tend to toss and turn a fair amount as you sleep by ensuring you continue to receive the necessary pressure setting regardless of your sleep position.
4. Better for Allergy Sufferers
A device that auto-adjusts the pressure of the air may also benefit people with allergies. The device will detect changes to airflow caused by allergies and adjust the pressure setting accordingly to make breathing easier. This could also benefit those who regularly suffer from colds or a stuffy nose.
5. Variations in Weight
If you are someone who can quickly lose or put on weight, APAP sleep apnea treatment may be the better option. PAP machines that use fixed pressure settings will need adjusting to accommodate such weight variations and this could require a further sleep study. The auto-adjusting technology used in APAP may better compensate for weight variations.
6. Compact and Quiet
While modern CPAP machines tend to be quite compact and relatively quiet, APAP machines tend to be smaller and quieter still. This can be a consideration if bedside space is at a minimum, but perhaps more so if external sounds can be an issue when trying to sleep.
Is APAP Sleep Apnea Treatment Effective?
In general, PAP devices are effective in reducing the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. By keeping the airways clear of obstruction, APAP therapy combats disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation from sleep apnea that can otherwise increase your risk of serious health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
The personalization of the auto-adjustment method used by APAP could provide more accurate delivery of air pressure to suit the different requirements experienced throughout the night. This can provide a more comfortable experience, which in turn may boost compliance with the treatment and prevent the return of debilitating obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.
Are There Any Drawbacks to APAP?
APAP users can experience similar issues to CPAP users such as a dry mouth and throat, although using a heated humidifier can offset these issues. Potential issues more specific to APAP sleep treatment include:
- APAP devices can be more expensive.
- There is less research on the effectiveness of APAP in the treatment of central sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing pauses are caused when the brain does not communicate the correct signals to the muscles.
- APAP may not be suitable for people with heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
By auto-adjusting air pressure settings to meet your changing needs throughout the night, APAP therapy can provide a more comfortable treatment and boost compliance for people who find the fixed pressure of CPAP difficult to tolerate. APAP could also better suit people with allergies or suffer from claustrophobia, as well as those whose weight tends to fluctuate.