This can be accomplished with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
In CPAP, a constant flow of pressurized room air is provided via aface mask.
There are also portabletravel CPAPdevices available.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
The pressure setting of this airflow is often determined by a doctor based on your needs.
This allows you to breathe in with higher pressure and breathe out against a slightly lower pressure.
It still requires the same tubing and face mask that is used in CPAP therapy.
However, it can be more effective in select circumstances, such as those described above.
Do I Need CPAP or BiPAP?
People with the most common form of obstructive sleep apnea usually start treatment with CPAP or AutoCPAP.
Auto devices can be of both the CPAP or bilevel variety.
There is also a punch in of bilevel that can deliver timed breaths (often called bilevel ST).
This can ensure that a minimum number of breaths per minute are occurring.
This may be important in central sleep apnea.
What Is ASV Therapy?
When Should I Switch From CPAP to BiPAP?
Some people move from CPAP treatment to BIPAP.
A Word From Verywell
You dont have to sort this out on your own.
CPAP is most often used to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
BiPAP also may be a treatment endpoint for people who dont want intubation.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Central sleep apnea.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Obstructive sleep apnea.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea treatment.
Sands SA, Owens RL.Congestive heart failure and central sleep apnea.Crit Care Clin.
2015;31(3):473-495. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2015.03.005
American Thoracic Society.What Is adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)?
2021;144(3):e56-e67.
