CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. When you fall asleep, as your muscles relax, your upper airway collapses. During the CPAP study you are fitted with a nasal mask, this mask is connected by a tube to the CPAP machine. In turn, the CPAP machine has a fan that pushes air through the tube and is delivered to you via the nasal mask allowing the air to blow into the back of your throat. This process will prevent the collapse of your upper airway and aid your body in achieving quality sleep.

A CPAP study is used to set the correct level of pressure. This therapy is used for people with sleep related breathing disorders. These disorders include the following:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Central sleep apnea (CSA)
• Hypoventilation and hypoxemia

To do so correctly, you need to spend an additional night in the sleep lab on the machine.

Yes. In order to properly find the optimal setting for your CPAP machine the technician will need the ability to see what is happening while you sleep. The only way to do this is being wired up again.

Yes. While you are sleeping the technician is increasing the CPAP pressure based on the type of sleep breathing that you are having. It is required that you remain on each pressure change for a minimum amount of time to allow your body to acclimate. Also, most patients worsen while in the REM, or Rapid Eye Movement stage (the deep stage of sleep when you dream), therefore studies may need to be reviewed by the physician if REM sleep is not achieved before a final pressure can be chosen.

After your study is over and an optimal pressure has been obtained, based on what homecare company you have chosen or the sleep lab has assigned you to, you will be set up with your CPAP equipment. Again, dependent upon what homecare company you use, they will arrange to either set you up at the sleep center, at the homecare company, or at your home. Once you have been using your equipment for a month or so we request, by mail, that you return to the office for a follow up appointment. At this time your provider will discuss your results and trouble shoot any issues that may have risen. If your study needs to be reviewed first by a Physician, the lab will notify you and you will hear from the office as to what needs to be done next after your study has been read.

Typically, it takes approximately a month for the body to start feeling the benefits of using the CPAP study. However, if you are finding difficulties in using the CPAP machine please do not hesitate in contacting the office for assistance. We are here to help you become compliant in utilizing the CPAP machine.

This test is conducted to determine whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea or some other form of sleep disorder. Wires and probes are painlessly attached to your body to monitor the following:

• Brain waves
• Muscle tension
• Eye movement
• Respiration
• Oxygen level in the blood
• Sounds of Snoring, Gasping, etc.

The specialist will read the results of this test and determine if you have sleep apnea, and if so, the severity of your condition. Your physician will develop a treatment plan for you.

This study is used to set the correct level of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This therapy is used for people with sleep related breathing disorders. These disorders include the following:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Central sleep apnea (CSA)
• Hypoventilation and hypoxemia

CPAP is most commonly used to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

In order to expedite the process, we arrange the Polysomnography and the CPAP study two weeks after the completion of your first study. Our expectation in doing so is to get patients treated as soon as possible and obtaining quality sleep.

Our office has made arrangements with the sleep lab that determines if you have significant sleep apnea after the completion of your first polysomnogram test. Again, this arrangement was created to help expedite your way to being treated. If you meet these requirements the lab will instruct you to return for the CPAP study. If you do not meet these requirements a letter will be mailed to you instructing you to schedule a follow up appointment for results.

It is your right, as the patient, to make this request. Please convey this request to your provider or the sleep lab whenever you feel it deemed necessary.