# FAQ - Sleep Apnea and CPAPs

**Last update: December 4th, 2023**

### Summary

1. **What is Apnea?**  
2. **What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of apnea?**  
3. **How does Sleepup help in monitoring apnea?**  
4. **What is a CPAP device, and how does it work?**  
5. **What is respiratory physiotherapy?**

### 1. What is Apnea?

Apnea is a sleep disorder that affects a person's breathing, causing them to stop breathing one or more times while sleeping, affecting sleep quality and can lead to other health complications.

### 2. What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of apnea?

There are various causes for apnea, which can be from genetic causes to anatomical causes, such as the position of the patient's chin, obesity, and the presence of nasal obstruction.

Among the symptoms of apnea, the person may have loud snoring, followed by times when they completely stop breathing. It can also cause excessive tiredness and sleepiness, even after sleeping for full nights. Generally, apnea is diagnosed by tests such as polysomnography.

Apnea can be treated through weight loss if the patient is overweight. If apnea is mild and caused by anatomical problems, the patient may use oral devices that help alleviate the issue.

In the case of people diagnosed with severe or moderate apnea, the use of a CPAP device, which pumps oxygen to the patient's body throughout the night, may be recommended.

### 4. What is a CPAP device, and how does it work?

A CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) is a small device that silently pulls air, pressurizes it, and delivers it to a mask via a hose.

A CPAP machine helps people with sleep apnea breathe normally at night. Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of the throat and oral cavity (tonsils or tongue, for example) relax and collapse, blocking the airways and preventing air from reaching the lungs. Some people may experience more than 100 breathing interruptions and awakenings per hour for most of the night.

These breathing interruptions can disrupt sleep and lead to long-term health problems.

The CPAP provides a constant flow of air through a mask that fits the nose and/or mouth, creating a pressure that keeps the airways open. By preventing the airways from collapsing during sleep, users can have a more consistent breath and a better night's sleep. Using a CPAP machine can relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea and improve health and overall well-being.

### 5. What is respiratory physiotherapy?

Respiratory physiotherapy is a specialty of physical therapy that focuses on the treatment and prevention of respiratory disorders. Respiratory physiotherapists use specific techniques such as breathing exercises, chest mobilization, and teaching effective breathing patterns to improve pulmonary function and promote the clearance of airways.