For adults, the most effective treatment for eliminating or reducing sleep apnea is a positive airway pressure (PAP) machine. By working to normalize your breathing, this machine helps you get a good night’s sleep and be more productive during the day.

The physician decides which type of machine to use and the pressure level required to keep the upper airways open:

• A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine delivers a constant level of inspiratory pressure. This is the most common method. All machines can operate in continuous mode (e.g. 10 cm H₂O).
  
• An automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) machine delivers a variable level of inspiratory pressure (e.g. 4-20 cm H₂O). Accordingly, in the event of apnea, the machine increases the pressure (without ever exceeding 20 cm H₂0), and, in the absence of respiratory events, the pressure decreases (to a minimum of 4 cm H₂0).
• A bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine delivers two constant levels of pressure: inspiratory (e.g. 16 cm H₂0) and expiratory (e.g. 8 cm H₂O)
• An adaptive servo-ventilator (ASV) delivers a variable level of inspiratory pressure (e.g. 4-16 cm H₂O) and a constant level of expiratory pressure (e.g. 8 cm H₂O). This machine is designed to treat more complex sleep apneas.

If you have any questions about how to use your machine, consult our Flyer, Leaflet and Guides section or Contact us to make an appointment with one of our respiratory therapists.

Consult the list of our available machines.

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