If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or you suspect you might have it, CPAP therapy is likely the first treatment your doctor will recommend. And for good reason: it’s the most effective, most studied treatment available for sleep apnea, with decades of research behind it.
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It works by delivering a steady, gentle stream of air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing the breathing interruptions that define sleep apnea. When it’s working well, most patients notice a difference quickly, more energy, fewer headaches, better concentration, and a partner who finally gets some rest too.
At Sleep Health & Wellness, Dr. Maria Tovar-Torres helps patients in Bingham Farms and throughout Metro Detroit get started with CPAP therapy correctly, troubleshoot problems when they arise, and explore alternatives if CPAP turns out not to be the right fit.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult with Dr. Tovar-Torres to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation.
CPAP therapy is typically prescribed for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, though it is also used for mild OSA in some patients. You may be a candidate for CPAP if you experience:
CPAP is also commonly recommended for patients with heart conditions, as untreated sleep apnea significantly increases cardiovascular risk. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have not yet started treatment, or if you tried CPAP in the past and stopped, it’s worth having a conversation about your options.
A CPAP machine is a small device that sits on your nightstand and connects to a mask you wear over your nose, mouth, or both while you sleep. The machine draws in room air, filters it, pressurizes it to a prescribed level, and delivers it continuously through the mask and into your airway.
This steady flow of air acts like a gentle pneumatic splint, keeping the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing inward. The result: your airway stays open, breathing remains uninterrupted, and your brain never has to wake you up to restore normal breathing.
Not all PAP machines work exactly the same way. Depending on your diagnosis and needs, Dr. Tovar-Torres may prescribe one of the following:
The standard CPAP delivers one fixed air pressure throughout the night. This is the most common prescription for obstructive sleep apnea and works well for the majority of patients.
An APAP machine automatically adjusts the pressure level throughout the night in response to changes in your breathing. This can improve comfort for patients whose airway needs vary during different sleep positions or sleep stages.
BiPAP delivers two different pressure settings — a higher pressure when you inhale and a lower pressure when you exhale. This makes breathing feel more natural and is often prescribed for patients who find standard CPAP pressure uncomfortable, or for those with central sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, or higher pressure requirements.
Starting CPAP therapy is a process, not an overnight switch. Most patients need a short adjustment period before CPAP becomes a seamless part of their nightly routine. Here’s what the process typically looks like at Sleep Health & Wellness.
Before CPAP is prescribed, a sleep study is needed to confirm your diagnosis and determine the severity of your sleep apnea. For most patients, this is a home sleep test completed in your own bed overnight. Dr. Tovar-Torres reviews the results and determines the appropriate pressure settings for your treatment.
At your follow-up visit, Dr. Tovar-Torres will walk you through your sleep study results, explain your diagnosis, and discuss your treatment options. If CPAP is recommended, she’ll review the equipment with you, answer your questions, and help connect you with the right resources for obtaining your machine and mask.
The mask is often the most personal part of CPAP therapy — and the one that makes the biggest difference in whether patients stick with it. There are several types to choose from:
Nasal pillows: Small cushions that rest just inside the nostrils. Minimal contact with the face, good for patients who feel claustrophobic.
Nasal mask: Covers the nose only. A good middle-ground option for most patients.
Full face mask: Covers both the nose and mouth. Recommended for patients who breathe through their mouth during sleep or who need higher pressure settings.
Finding the right fit takes some trial and adjustment, and that’s completely normal. Don’t give up on CPAP because of mask discomfort before exploring the full range of options available.
Modern CPAP machines track your data nightly — including the number of apnea events, mask leak rates, and hours of use. Dr. Tovar-Torres reviews this data at follow-up appointments to make sure your therapy is working and your settings remain appropriate. If issues come up between appointments, the patient portal and phone line are available for questions and support.
CPAP delivers one fixed pressure level throughout the night. APAP (Auto-adjusting PAP) automatically varies the pressure in response to changes in your breathing, which can improve comfort. BiPAP (Bilevel PAP) uses two pressure levels, higher when you inhale, lower when you exhale, and is often prescribed for patients who struggle with standard CPAP pressure or who have central sleep apnea or other respiratory conditions. Dr. Tovar-Torres will prescribe the type that best fits your diagnosis and needs.
CPAP intolerance is very common and very often fixable. The most frequent reasons patients give up on CPAP are mask discomfort, difficulty exhaling against the pressure, dryness, or claustrophobia. Many of these issues can be resolved by trying a different mask type, adjusting humidifier settings, or switching to APAP or BiPAP. If CPAP truly isn’t a workable solution, alternatives like Inspire therapy or oral appliance therapy may be worth exploring. A conversation with Dr. Tovar-Torres is a good starting point.
Some patients notice improvement within the first few nights. For others, it takes two to four weeks of consistent use before the full benefits become apparent. Energy levels, daytime alertness, and mood tend to improve gradually as your body adjusts to getting uninterrupted, restorative sleep. Sticking with CPAP through the initial adjustment period is important — many patients who nearly give up in the first week go on to become long-term, comfortable users.
Most insurance providers and clinical guidelines consider CPAP therapy effective when used for at least four hours per night on 70% or more of nights. That said, the more consistently you use CPAP throughout the night, the more benefit you’ll receive. Dr. Tovar-Torres will review your usage data at follow-up appointments and can help address barriers to consistent use.
Yes. CPAP machines are prescription medical devices in the United States. A sleep study is required to establish your diagnosis and determine the appropriate pressure setting. Dr. Tovar-Torres provides the prescription following your evaluation and sleep study results.
CPAP supplies have recommended replacement schedules that most insurance plans follow. Mask cushions are typically replaced monthly, full masks every three to six months, tubing every three months, and the machine itself every three to five years. Using clean, properly maintained equipment improves both comfort and therapy effectiveness.
