Living with CPAP: Discover the benefits of this therapy
For you and the people around you
How does CPAP Therapy affect the patient's everyday life?
CPAP therapy is a safe way to treat sleep apnea. The patient will perceive the benefits throughout use: the disposition for day-to-day activities can improve, because they will be sleeping better. (1)
When used as instructed by your doctor, the treatment is considered very effective in controlling the everyday symptoms of sleep apnea, such as headaches in the morning (2,3) , loud snoring, frequent nightmares, and feeling suffocated at night.
Specifically, when the patient has a good night's sleep, they will run much less risk of dozing off while driving (4) and will feel more awake and more productive at work (5) . CPAP therapy can also alleviate feelings of depression and irritability (6,7) , and can improve sexual performance.
By treating sleep apnea, the patient will be helping to reduce the risk of long-term health problems, including:
- Hypertension; (8.9)
- Stroke or stroke and heart disease; (6-9)
- Type 2 diabetes; (10-12)
- Metabolic syndrome. (13)
What are the advantages of CPAP for people who live with the patient?
'Full of energy' and 'more attractive': this is how CPAP therapy can benefit the people who live with the patient.
Sleep apnea doesn't just affect the patient – it also affects the people around them. Consequently, the patient will not be the only one to benefit from CPAP treatment. Your partner will also be able to get a better night's sleep, and your family, friends and co-workers will be happy to see you full of energy again.
Living better with CPAP
Your Relationship
- Did you know that snoring and waking up frequently at night can disturb your partner's sleep? Your CPAP equipment may allow you both to have good, restorative sleep (14).
- Studies have shown that regular use of CPAP can help improve sexual performance and reduce sexual problems associated with sleep apnea (eg, erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual drive) (15).
- But wearing a mask can be an obstacle to intimacy. To avoid any loss of self-esteem, you can talk about it with your partner and/or a healthcare professional.
- A scientific study revealed that CPAP treatment improved the physical appearance of its users! According to the people interviewed, patients showed to be more alert, youthful and attractive after CPAP treatment (16) .
Your Family Life
- Feeling less chronically tired during the day can help the patient to remain active and take more advantage of the special moments they spend with their family (17-20) .
- You may be able to spend more time with your children and/or grandchildren. In addition, not feeling so sleepy may make you less likely to fall asleep during meals, family gatherings, outings or leisure activities with the family (17-20) .
Your Social And Professional Life
- Feeling more alert and awake all the time can help you stay active throughout the day. Workplace meetings or daily get-togethers with friends will no longer be a problem (17-20).
- You may notice improvements in your driving skills, allowing you to move around more easily (21).
- Suffering from memory lapses and having trouble concentrating or paying attention are common symptoms of sleep apnea that can affect your private and professional life. These symptoms may be alleviated if the patient uses their CPAP equipment regularly (20, 22, 23).
References
1 .National Sleep Foundation, Sleep and CPAP adherence. Consulted 12/10/2020 @ www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-and-cpap-adherence 2. Campos-Rodriguez F, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Profile in Women with Sleep Apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(2);1700257. 3. Cass E, et al. Depressive Symptoms before and after Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Men and Women. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015;11(9);1029-38 4. Mahssa K, et al. Sleep apnea-related risk of motor vehicle accidents is reduced by continuous positive airway pressure: Swedish Traffic Accident Registry data. Sleep 2015;38(3);341-9 5.Siccoli M, et al. Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Quality of Life in Patients With Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Data from a Randomized Control-led Trial. Sleep. 2008;31(11);1551-8 6 .Young T, et al, Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;165(9);1217-39 7 Young T, et al, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality: Eighteen-Year Follow-up pf the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort. Sleep. 2008;31(8);1071-8. 8. Campos-Rodriguez F, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Profile in Women with Sleep Apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(2):1700257. 9.Gottlieb D, et al. CPAP versus Oxygen in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(24):2276-85. 10. Mokhlesi B, et al. Effect of One Week of 8-Hour Nightly Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;194(4):516-9. 11 . Martínez-Cerón E, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Glycemic Control in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes. The Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;194(4):476-85. 12 . Aronsohn R, et al. Impact of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010;181(5):507-1 13. Sharma S, et al. CPAP for the metabolic syndrome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(24):2277-86. 14 . Doherty LS. et al. Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy on the quality of life of bed partners of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Chest. 2003 Dec;124(6):2209-14. 15 . Melehan KL. et al. Randomized Trial of CPAP and Vardenafil on Erectile and Arterial Function in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Apr 1;103(4):1601-1611. 16 . Chervin RD. et al. The face of sleepiness: improvement in appearance after treatment of sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013 Sep 15;9(9):845-52. 17.No DD et al. Can continuous positive airway pressure therapy improve the general health status of patients with obstructive sleep apnea?: a clinical effectiveness study. Chest. 2002 Nov;122(5):1679-85. 18 . Sforza E. et al. Daytime sleepiness and nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients: effects of chronic treatment and 1-night therapy withdrawal. Sleep. 1995 Apr;18(3):195-201. 19. Bolitschek J. et al. Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Eur Respir J. 1998 Apr;11(4):890-4. 20. Antique NA. et al. The effect of CPAP in normalizing daytime sleepiness, quality of life, and neurocognitive function in patients with moderate to severe OSA. Sleep. 2011 Jan 1;34(1):111-9. 21 . Mazza S. et al. Driving ability in sleep apnea patients before and after CPAP treatment: evaluation on a road safety platform. Eur Respir J. 2006 Nov;28(5):1020-8. 22 . Deering S. et al. CPAP Adherence is Associated With Attentional Improvements in a Group of Primarily Male Patients With Moderate to Severe OSA. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Dec 15;13(12):1423-1428. 23 . American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). CPAP - Benefits Health Risk Prevention. Aug 2015. http://sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/cpap/benefits.