CPAP Therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and Who Needs It

When you have CPAP therapy, a treatment that uses gentle air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. Also known as continuous positive airway pressure, it's the most effective, doctor-recommended fix for sleep apnea—a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep. Millions use it every night, and for good reason: it doesn’t just reduce snoring, it lowers your risk of heart attack, stroke, and daytime exhaustion.

CPAP therapy works by pushing a steady stream of air through a mask you wear while sleeping. That air acts like a splint, holding your throat open so it doesn’t collapse. It’s not a cure, but it’s the closest thing we have. People who use it regularly report better sleep, sharper focus, and less morning headache. The machine itself is quiet now—most are quieter than a whisper—and masks come in all shapes: nasal pillows, full face, even hybrid designs. You don’t need to be overweight to need it. It’s not just for loud snorers. Even thin, healthy people with mild sleep apnea benefit if their airway is naturally narrow.

There are related tools that often come up alongside CPAP therapy. Sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing pauses during sleep, often caused by blocked airways or brain signal failures. It’s more common than you think—up to 1 in 5 adults have it, and most don’t know. Then there’s continuous positive airway pressure, the technical term for CPAP therapy, often used in medical records and insurance forms. And sleep breathing devices, a broader category that includes CPAP, BiPAP, and oral appliances. Not all devices are the same. CPAP is the first-line treatment, but if you can’t tolerate it, alternatives exist.

What you won’t find in this collection are ads for cheap CPAP machines online or miracle cures that promise to replace it. Instead, you’ll find real stories and science-backed advice: how to handle mask leaks, what to do when you wake up dry-mouthed, why some people quit and how others stick with it for years. You’ll see how CPAP interacts with other health issues—like heart disease or obesity—and what your doctor should be checking when you start. There’s no fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what most people wish they’d known before buying their first machine.