Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, is the most common sleep disorder. It is most prevalent in men over 40, but can affect people of either sex and of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. About 10% of the population suffers from OSA, approximately the same percentage as people with asthma or diabetes. OSA has been linked to several life threatening conditions including high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Fortunately for the OSA sufferer and their often sleep-deprived bed partner, many excellent products exist to improve quality of life.

CPAP increases air pressure in the throat, which prevents the collapse of the airway when a patient inhales. This collapse is what blocks the patient's airway, causing the body to wake up, which is a cycle that can occur several hundred times per night. The CPAP machine is light, portable, and extremely effective.

A related type of equipment is the Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machine, also available through Medical Service Company. Bilevel therapy uses two set pressures, a high level for when the patient breathes in, and a lower level for when they breathe out. This can be a welcome alternative for those patients who find the CPAP's continuous air pressure difficult to breathe out against. However, BiPAP machines are usually more expensive than CPAP.

Today, CPAP is the most effective non-surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It is the first choice for physicians and the most widely used. Our skilled respiratory therapy staff provides expert mask fittings and conducts thorough instruction and follow-up to promote patient compliance.