CPAP

What is CPAP? (pronounced see pap)

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is another way in which we can help support patients with their breathing. It involves putting a tight fitting mask over the patient's nose and mouth. The mask needs to be tight so that we can deliver extra support using air and oxygen at varying pressures.A transparent hood that fits over the head (rather like a large bubble) can also sometimes be used, as patients often find this much more comfortable.

How does it work?

During normal breathing, the lungs suck air into the body.When patents are very ill or the lungs are struggling, pushing air into the lungs through the CPAP machine (using various amounts of pressure) can reduce some of the effort of breathing and help keep the patient's airway or breathing passages open.

Why is it used?

There are several ways to support patients who are having difficulty breathing. Many patients require to be connected to a ventilator or breathing machine either via a tube that passes through their mouth and into the windpipe (a breathing tube, endotracheal or ETT tube) or a small hole in the front of the neck (a tracheostomy or "tracky").

Sometimes using CPAP can help to postpone or avoid altogether the need to connect the patient to a ventilator or breathing machine, in the hope that they will recover enough by themselves. Sometimes patients who have already been disconnected from the ventilator may struggle. In these patients, CPAP can be used to provide extra support, rather than putting the patient back on the ventilator.

Why does it feel so uncomfortable?

Patients can sometimes find the tightness of the mask a little uncomfortable and claustrophobic. The pressure within the mask (used to help open the patient's airways or breathing passage) can also feel uncomfortable. Some patients become understandably agitated and panicky. A transparent hood that fits over the head (rather like a large bubble) can also sometimes be used, as patients often find this much more comfortable.     

Why is CPAP used in some patients and not others?

There are a number of medical conditions in which it is not safe (or even potentially harmful) to use CPAP.