4 Benefits of CPAP Therapy

Sleep apnea disrupts more than just your night’s rest. When breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, it affects your entire body. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines prevent that by keeping your airways open all night.

At Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in Algonquin, Illinois, we see dramatic improvements in patients who stick with their CPAP therapy. Here’s what happens when you use CPAP consistently:

1. Sleep becomes actual sleep again

Without CPAP, sleep apnea patients don’t really sleep. Their bodies wake up dozens or even hundreds of times each night — often so briefly they don’t remember. The CPAP machine stops this cycle by maintaining open airways.

Many sleep apnea patients don’t reach deep sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, where most dreaming happens. Their bodies constantly interrupt the sleep cycle with breathing emergencies. 

Because CPAP keeps your airway open, your brain finally cycles through complete sleep stages.

2. Blood pressure drops without medication

Each time breathing stops during sleep apnea, oxygen levels fall. Your body responds by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate.

After a few weeks of CPAP use, your blood pressure numbers may improve. Some people even reduce their blood pressure medications with doctor supervision because their heart doesn’t have to work as hard when breathing remains steady all night.

3. Mental clarity improves 

The brain fog associated with sleep apnea comes from two problems: oxygen deprivation and sleep fragmentation. Your brain never gets the consistent oxygen or uninterrupted sleep needed to function.

CPAP therapy can help improve concentration, memory, and decision-making within days.

4. Morning headaches disappear

The pounding headaches many sleep apnea patients wake up with stem from blood vessels dilating after a night of oxygen deprivation. CPAP prevents the oxygen drops, meaning no more morning headaches for most patients. The effect can be immediate and long-lasting.

Getting comfortable with your CPAP machine

Our experienced team at Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine runs a dedicated CPAP Clinic for our patients. We help you find equipment that works for your needs.

Modern CPAP machines are smaller and quieter than older models. Different mask styles accommodate various face shapes and sleeping positions. If one style doesn’t work, we can try another.

The biggest mistake new CPAP users make is giving up too soon. Most adjustment issues are fixable with simple changes to settings, mask style, or sleep position.

To get the most benefit from your CPAP therapy, call our office at 815-584-0976 or schedule your consultation online today.