☾ Sleep Clinic Directory

CPAP Therapy: Getting Started and Sticking With It

✦ Clinical Resourcecpap therapy

Updated October 20, 2026 · 2 min read · Sleep Clinic Directory editorial

⚡ Key Clinical Takeaways

  • The machine draws room air through a filter, pressurizes it, and pushes it through a tube into your mask.
  • Three styles cover almost everyone: nasal pillows (small inserts at the nostrils), nasal masks (cover the nose), and full-face masks (cover nose and mouth, useful for mouth breathers).
  • Expect an adjustment period.
  • Air leaks: re-fit the mask lying down (your face changes shape when supine).
  • Research consistently links nightly use with the biggest gains in daytime energy, blood pressure and mood.

CPAP therapy (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most common treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. A small machine delivers a steady stream of air through a mask, keeping your airway open all night. Most people feel the difference within days — the challenge is sticking with it.

How the equipment works

The machine draws room air through a filter, pressurizes it, and pushes it through a tube into your mask. Pressure is set from your sleep study results or auto-adjusted by the device itself.

Choosing a mask

Three styles cover almost everyone: nasal pillows (small inserts at the nostrils), nasal masks (cover the nose), and full-face masks (cover nose and mouth, useful for mouth breathers). Fit matters more than brand — a good seal without pressure points is the goal.

The first two weeks

Expect an adjustment period. Dry nose is common; heated humidification solves most of it. If falling asleep with the mask feels strange, wear it for short naps or while reading to build tolerance. Modern machines log your usage hours — bring those readings to follow-up visits.

Common problems, quick fixes

Air leaks: re-fit the mask lying down (your face changes shape when supine). Dry mouth: try a chin strap or full-face mask. Discomfort in the morning: check headgear tension — snug, not tight.

Why consistency wins

Research consistently links nightly use with the biggest gains in daytime energy, blood pressure and mood. If therapy is not working after honest effort, go back to your sleep clinic — pressure adjustments and different mask styles fix most cases.

Related guides in this series

📄Does Insurance Cover Sleep Studies? What to Ask Before You BookIn-network status, deductibles, split billing and CPAP supplies — the money questions that decide your real sleep study cost.›📄Home Sleep Test vs In-Lab Study: Which One Do You Need?Portable monitors are convenient, but they are not for everyone. How doctors decide between a home test and an overnight clinic study.›📄7 Signs You Should See a Sleep SpecialistSnoring is only the beginning. Daytime sleepiness, morning headaches and other signals that it is time to book a professional evaluation.›

Ready to find an accredited sleep clinic near you?

Browse over 7,500 AASM-accredited centers, filter by tests and treatments, and reach out directly — all in one verified directory.

🔍 Search Accredited Centers

or call a clinic directly from its profile — every listing has a verified phone number.

This medical guide complies with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards of care for sleep disorders and reflects generally accepted clinical guidelines. It is informational and not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

← All guides