Get To Know Your PAP System
Starting Your Treatment

You will receive several items, including a therapy device, a mask that covers your nose and/or mouth, and tubing to connect the device to your mask and face.

Therapy devices

There are three types of therapy devices. Your doctor will prescribe the device that's best for you, and it's important to know which one you have. Even though the devices may look alike, they deliver pressure in different ways.

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy devices deliver a steady, gentle flow of air, and is a common therapy to help keep the airway open while you sleep.
• Bi-level therapy devices deliver two levels of pressure. They provide a higher level of pressure when you breathe in and a lower level of pressure when you breathe out. These devices are often prescribed for sleepers who have trouble tolerating a CPAP device, who may require high pressures from their device, or who may have difficulty breathing (requiring ventilation) while they sleep.
• Auto-PAP therapy devices sense your needs and provide variable pressures throughout the night. For example, if you needed a higher level of pressure during REM sleep, the device would automatically adjust your pressure.

•  
• CPAP
• Bi-Level
• Auto-PAP
• What type of pressure does it deliver?
• One steady level of pressure
• Two levels of pressure - a higher pressure level when you breath in and a lower pressure level when you breathe out
• Changing pressure levels based on your needs

Many therapy devices are equipped with features that can help make your treatment more comfortable.

• Humidifiers are found attached to the side of many devices. They help reduce some of the side effects of therapy, such as dry nose, by moisturizing the air that's delivered through your mask. There are two types of humidifiers, heated and unheated. Heated humidifiers are more effective at heating and moisturizing the air. However, some people may prefer the cool, moist air from an unheated humidifier.
• Filters on your therapy device help to purify the air that's delivered through your mask. Most devices come with a foam filter. This filter helps to screen out normal household dust. Some devices also have a white, ultra-fine, disposable filter. This filter screens out very small air particles, such as tobacco smoke.

Masks and accessories

Masks attach to the tubing and deliver air from the therapy device to you. There are many types of masks. Some cover your mouth and nose, and others only cover your nose. It's very important to find a mask that fits you, your sleeping position, and your lifestyle, because having a comfortable mask means you'll be more likely to use your treatment every day.

To help your mask fit more comfortably, optional accessories such as mask liners and nose bridge protectors are available. Chinstraps are accessories that prevent your mouth from opening at night. The chinstrap wraps around the top of your head and underneath your chin to keep the airflow from escaping through your mouth.

Tubing

The tubing (or hose) allows air to pass from your therapy device to your mask and into your airway. One side of the tubing attaches to your therapy device. The other side attaches to your mask. The tubing is flexible and easy to clean.

Most tubing is 22 millimeters in diameter. Smaller and lighter 15-millimeter tubing is also available, however not all devices can use this type of tubing.

For patients who may suffer from dry nose and mouth, heated tubing is an option. Heated tubing connects to a power source with the PAP system.

Talk to us about the type of tubing that you and your PAP device may need.