Newb Question about Cpap Therapy

[ZQuest]

Hello: Everyone


I have one quick question.. Does Cpap therapy improve's lung funtion? As a Ex-smoker i am wondering if this could be another benefit of being on Cpap. If not ,Life still good i'm still polishing the rought edges of Cpap ,one night at the time with very little complaints i guess that i have been lucky to be able to take to this therapy so well so soon.



Thanks: Phil

[Janknitz]

Weeeellll, I don't know for sure (I haven't read any peer-reviewed medical studies to that effect). Some health practitioners say that CPAP works strictly on the upper airway, and that may be true, but . . .

I think there are beneficial effects for the lungs whether directly or as a result of CPAP therapy:
1. You are breathing filtered air all night. If you have reactive airway problems as I do, I think that's a help. My asthma has been much improved since starting CPAP.
2. Even with EPR you are breathing out against some pressure--that strengthens the respiratory diaphragmatic muscles. And you can breathe more deeply and fully oxygenate the lungs. My peak flows (one way of measuring airway flow) has been really good since starting CPAP.
3. You are getting plenty of oxygen to your lungs instead of the little dribs and drabs you received during sleep before CPAP.
4. Some people (like me) don't have GERD reflux on CPAP. I know I was having this fairly regularly despite meds before CPAP and I also know that I was aspirating the reflux into my lungs on occasion--all bad for my lungs. On CPAP, I don't seem to be having reflux or aspiration (as long as I'm really using it). That has to be good for the lungs!

I'm sure there's more, but these are the things I have noted. Congrats for being an EX-smoker. That was the single best thing you can ever do for your lungs--and the hardet. If you can quit smoking, CPAP is just a trifle in comparison. You can do it!