Treatment: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

What is CPAP therapy?

CPAP therapy is the primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. 

CPAP therapy involves using a continuous positive airway pressure machine to keep your airways open while asleep. Pressure passes through a face mask covering your nose and mouth (or just your nose), which adjusts automatically to ensure your airways stay open when sleeping.  

Why might I need CPAP therapy?

CPAP therapy can be beneficial if you have obstructive sleep apnoea. 

However, it can also be helpful if:

• You’re at risk of sleep apnoea, which can lead to health problems like an unhealthy increase in heart rate and blood pressure levels, diabetes and stroke

• You want a noticeable improvement in your energy levels, focus, mood stability, and productivity due to better sleep quality

• You’d like to reduce your hospital visits and medications 

• You want to preserve your hearing – it can prevent or alleviate sleep apnoea-related hearing problems caused by increased pressure in the middle ear

Symptoms CPAP therapy can treat

Sleep apnoea can cause various symptoms affecting your waking life and sleep. 

CPAP therapy can help to minimise symptoms such as: 

• Snoring

• Waking up during the night

• Gasping for breath at night

• Daytime sleepiness

• Irritability

• Headaches

• Struggling to concentrate

Benefits of CPAP therapy

With CPAP therapy, you can experience many benefits. 

Some of CPAP therapy’s benefits at OneWelbeck include:

• Enhanced sleep quality due to reduced disruptions at night caused by sleep apnoea

• More energy during the day 

• A decreased risk of heart attack and stroke because blood pressure may be lower

• Tracking your activity on the CPAP using an online account directly connected to your device means you can see how many apnoeas occur during the night

• Alleviated pressure in your middle ear and protected hearing

Are there any risks associated with CPAP therapy?

CPAP therapy is safe and generally causes minimal side effects. However, it is possible to develop a sore throat or dry mouth using the machine. You can attach a humidifier that provides the necessary moisture and relief to combat this.

Some people may find that CPAP therapy causes: 

• Difficulty falling asleep

• A bloated feeling

• Claustrophobia

• Some skin irritation from the mask

However, CPAP therapy’s possible drawbacks are greatly outweighed by its potential benefits to your health. 

CPAP therapy tips

You will need time to get used to your CPAP machine, but you’ll soon find it easy to incorporate it into your nighttime routine. 

Here are some top tips to  get the most out of your CPAP therapy: 

• Ensure the device is always plugged in at the mains – as there’s no internal battery, it means the machine will not work if it’s not plugged in.

• Secure the tubing to the device and the mask to prevent leaking.

• Practise a mask fit before you go to sleep. A physiologist will tell you where to find this setting on your device.

• Improve your chances of acclimatising to the therapy by trying it while you are awake and watching TV, for example. However, if you still have trouble tolerating the machine after a week or so, speak to a physiologist promptly.

• Bring the CPAP device with you to future appointments so one of the physiologists can help with any potential mask fit problems, data download and ongoing queries.

Why choose OneWelbeck for your CPAP treatment?

At OneWelbeck, we’re committed to supporting your health through obstructive sleep apnoea and making booking a consultation for CPAP therapy easy. 

Simply fill out our form below, call us on 0203 653 2006, or email bookings.lunghealth@onewelbeck.com. We can help get you on the right path with a physiologist consultation to ensure CPAP therapy is perfect for you. 

We offer patient support beyond your consultation. Once you receive your machine, we’ll still be available to help you and answer your questions while you get used to the machine. 

More than that, we provide check-up appointments every three months and yearly follow-ups to check your progress and make any potential adjustments. From your very first consultation onwards, we’re here to help you on your CPAP therapy journey. 

What’s included in our complete CPAP therapy package?

We offer a complete package for CPAP therapy at OneWelbeck that provides ongoing support and care. 

Our complete CPAP therapy package includes the following: 

• Physiologist consultation: Your CPAP journey begins with an initial appointment guided by a physiologist.

• Receive a ResMed CPAP device: On the same day, we’ll give you clear instructions on operating and maintaining the CPAP device and its accessories and ensuring a comfortable mask fit. We’ll include replacement filters and give you the option to buy new masks and tubing when necessary, depending on your care level, which can extend from 6 to 18 months. 

• A remote follow-up call: Our call within 48 hours will ensure you’re satisfied with the device and assist with troubleshooting or setting adjustments.

• Ongoing support: To ensure your continued comfort, we offer regular follow-up appointments every 3 months, allowing you to seek answers to troubleshooting questions.

• Yearly follow-up: After a year of CPAP device use, you'll have a consultation with your physiologist to evaluate your treatment progress and make any necessary adjustments. 

Private CPAP therapy pricing at OneWelbeck

Our CPAP therapy costs £1,120 for the complete package, and you’ll get everything in the section above. 

For more information or to book, please contact us using the form below, call us on 0203 653 2006, or email bookings.lunghealth@onewelbeck.com.

Alternatively, if you would like to book a consultation to discuss your options, click the book a consultation button.