What Is CPAP?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, is one of the most common methods of treating sleep apnea. It uses a mild amount of air pressure to maintain an open airway in order to minimize breathing problems during sleep.
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The air pressure is delivered through a mask – which can either cover the nose and mouth or possibly just the nose – that is connected to a small machine that can usually fit on a bedside table.
CPAP Desensitization
Breathing with a CPAP machine is different than breathing on your own and may take some time to adjust to, especially in children. Sometimes, the mask or air pressure can make people feel claustrophobic or anxious. For individuals having difficulty getting used to CPAP treatment, we offer CPAP therapy.
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How It Works
Once you arrive at the sleep lab, we will review the problems that you or your child are experiencing. Sometimes, CPAP discomfort is caused by an ill-fitting mask. Our first line of response is always to find the ideal mask for the patient.​ Once a mask is selected, CPAP will be administered with this new mask, and we will observe the patient on CPAP for 15-30 minutes. Our sleep specialists will monitor the effectiveness and make further recommendations.
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If CPAP is proving intolerable, patients may benefit from Bi-Level Pap therapy. Sleep devices that supply bi-level positive airway pressure (BiLevel PAP) are available upon recommendation and provide more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale. Patients who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy often feel better after switching to BiLevel PAP therapy.
Book An Appointment
If you are interested in CPAP Desensitization, call us at (949) 446-8990, or click the button below to fill out an appointment request for a sleep consultation, and we will get back to you as soon as possible regarding your request.
About the Doctor
GARY FELDMAN, MD
Pediatric Sleep Specialist
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician
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With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Gary Feldman founded Ocean Medicine after developing a longstanding reputation for excellence in pediatric sleep and behavior medicine as the Medical Director of the Stramski Children's Developmental Center at Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach since 2004. He was named 2010 Physician of the Year by Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach, and has been named a Southern California Super Doctor since 2014. He has received numerous other awards acknowledging his distinctions in behavioral pediatrics and sleep medicine, and is a sought-after speaker on these topics as well as international adoption medine.