PAP Therapy

What Is PAP Therapy?

PAP therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep. It’s most commonly used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the airway collapses or becomes blocked while sleeping, causing pauses in breathing. There are different types of PAP machines, including:

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) – provides a steady, constant stream of air.
• BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) – offers two levels of pressure for inhaling and exhaling.
• AutoPAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) – automatically adjusts pressure based on your breathing patterns.

How Do I Start PAP Therapy?

If your sleep study confirms a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe PAP therapy and help determine the best type of device for you. Our team will guide you through the setup process and ensure your mask fits comfortably. We also help adjust the pressure settings to provide maximum benefit with minimal disruption to your sleep.

Is It Difficult to Get Used to a PAP Machine?

Some patients need time to get used to sleeping with a mask or the sensation of air pressure. That’s completely normal. Our staff provides support and education to help you gradually adjust to therapy. If you’re experiencing discomfort, dryness, or mask leaks, we’ll work with you to troubleshoot and resolve these issues.

We also offer CPAP desensitization for patients who feel anxious or claustrophobic when using the machine. This step-by-step approach helps build comfort and confidence over time.

What Are the Benefits of PAP Therapy?

PAP therapy can significantly improve your quality of sleep and overall health. Benefits include:

• Reduced snoring
• Fewer breathing interruptions during sleep
• Better focus and energy during the day
• Lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure
• Improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression

Many patients report feeling more rested and alert after just a few nights of consistent PAP use.

How Do I Maintain My Machine?

It’s important to clean your mask, tubing, and water chamber regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria or mold. Our team will teach you how to properly care for your equipment and when to replace key parts. If you need supplies or have issues with your device, we’re here to help with ongoing support and follow-up care.

How does CPAP fitting work?

After a sleep apnea diagnosis is made, your journey to better sleep starts with a Texas Sleep Medicine CPAP specialist that will help you select a mask for your comfort, understand how the machine functions, and explain how to use your device effectively. One of the most important components of your new machine is the mask. As part of our service, our team will help fit you with a variety of mask designs to determine which option best fits the size of your face and offers optimal comfort while you sleep. After completing our device training and mask fitting, you can take your unit home with you the same day. If you have any questions or concerns once you arrive home, our sleep experts are available by phone to help guide you through the process.

In addition to providing CPAP supplies at our Austin, Texas sleep clinic, we can also ship replacement masks or other components directly to your home. The success of your treatment is our priority, that’s why we make it easy to maintain and replace critical components of your device wherever you’re located. Our knowledgeable CPAP specialists can provide cleaning instructions, as well as a maintenance schedule to keep your machine functioning optimally throughout your sleep apnea treatment.