Treatment Treatment Options In the past, sleep apnea patients were treated surgically with tracheostomy, a surgical opening in the throat. Even today, tracheostomy may still be necessary in rare cases, but most people can be treated successfully, without surgery, using positive airway pressure. CPAP Therapy In 1985, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, a nonsurgical treatment for sleep apnea, was introduced. CPAP is a therapy that delivers a continuous amount of air pressure through a mask (or nasal pillows) while you sleep. This pressurized air prevents your airway from collapsing so that air can flow freely to and from your lungs. APAP Therapy Automatically Adjusting Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) therapy is similar to CPAP therapy in that pressurized air is delivered through a mask (or nasal interface).  The difference is that APAP devices automatically adjust the pressure delivered to meet the patients needs. BiPAP Therapy Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) therapy is similar to CPAP and APAP therapy in that pressurized air is delivered through a mask (or nasal interface). The difference is that BiPAP therapy provides two different pressure levels, one as you breathe in, and a lower, more comfortable pressure, when you breathe out. Interfaces Bluegrass Oxygen carries various types and styles of interfaces (nasal and full-face) to use with your CPAP or BiPAP system.                 An APAP or BiPAP System may be more comfortable for certain individuals than CPAP therapy.  If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Bluegrass Oxygen will work with your doctor to supply you with a therapy system that is most appropriate to meet your needs. Your insurance may pay for some or all of your equipment cost. Treatment of sleep apnea requires commitment to using the therapy regularly if the greatest benefits are to be recognized.  Therapy is often more successful when you understand the disorder and the importance of regularly using the prescribed treatment.  The more you know about the disorder, the easier it will be to discuss with you doctor any problems you may experience.