Many people who get diagnosed with sleep apnea wonder whether they have to use CPAP therapy for the rest of their life. Continuous airway pressure or CPAP is one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea, but not everyone can tolerate it. Hence, let’s take a closer look at whether or not you have to use CPAP therapy for the rest of your life.

Factors Leading to Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can appear due to different reasons, including a person’s anatomy, the position of the jaw and tongue and the structure in the nose. The airways might change due to different reasons, such as a broken nose, allergies which might cause swelling of the tissues in the nose, mouth breathing and teeth position.

Additionally, other factors, such as sleeping on the back, snoring, and nasal congestion can contribute to sleep apnea. This sleep condition might become worse with REM sleep, when the person gains weight, or with age. Some of these factors are reversible, while others are not.

CPAP Therapy and Sleep Apnea

CPAP therapy improves sleep apnea as the machine creates a constant airflow that keeps the airway from collapsing during sleep. When constantly and properly used, this device can restore sleep apnea. So, CPAP only works when you use it and it will help you to breathe and sleep better whenever and only if it is used. If you stop using it, your condition will return as it is triggered by the predisposing factors.

Do You Have to Use CPAP Therapy Forever?

If this question bothers you, you should know that CPAP is the most effective treatment that currently exists. However, it doesn’t mean that you will use it forever.

Nevertheless, you should consider and discover the factors and the culprit which lead to sleep apnea. Hence, you should always consult a sleep specialist who can help you identify those factors. Moreover, you should definitely consider losing some weight or treat any allergies you might have. If sleep apnea occurs during your pregnancy, you should know that it will resolve over time.

Using CPAP on a daily basis means that you will have better sleep, decreased risk of long-term health issues, and enhanced daytime alertness and function. Many people notice the benefits and keep using the device all their life. As technology is always advancing, it is very likely that the device will get smaller, easier to use, quieter, and less intrusive. So, you might not need to use CPAP for the rest of your life.

If you happen to be among the unlucky few who cannot tolerate CPAP, there are certain alternatives you can use, such as oral appliances and surgical options. Over time, you can also repeat a sleep study to determine whether your sleep apnea condition has resolved.

CPAP therapy is the best possible and available treatment for sleep apnea and using it shouldn’t be considered as a life sentence. Instead, consider it as a simple intervention which will make your life better.