Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy treats sleep-related breathing disorders like obstructive sleep apnoea. It works by helping to keep your airways open while you sleep.
At a glance
- Doctor referral only
- Self-Pay Available
What is continuous positive airway pressure therapy?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is when your breathing stops for a short time, and then starts again, while you’re asleep. It’s the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, and occurs when the throat muscles relax so much that they narrow or completely block the airways.
This can happen many times throughout a night, leading to a lack of oxygen and symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for breath, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness.
Left untreated, OSA can increase your risk for conditions like:
heart disease
high blood pressure
stroke
type 2 diabetes
cognitive problems
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold-standard treatment for OSA. It uses a special machine to keep your airways open while you’re asleep.
You might need CPAP if:
you have obstructive sleep apnoea
you are at risk of sleep apnoea
your sleep quality is affecting your daily life – such as low energy levels, poor focus, mood irritability, and low productivity
you want to look after your hearing – obstructive sleep apnoea can lead to hearing problems, which is caused by increased pressure in the middle ear
At Welbeck, CPAP therapy is carried out in our state-of-the-art Lung Health centre.
More information
At Welbeck, you’ll work with a specialist physiologist to get the best out of your CPAP therapy package, which includes:
a physiologist consultation – an initial in-person appointment guided by a physiologist
a ResMed CPAP device – on the same day, we’ll give you clear instructions on how to use and maintain your CPAP device, which includes a face mask that fits over just your nose, or your nose and mouth
a remote follow-up call – a call from our team within 48 hours of starting CPAP therapy, to help with any initial problems
follow up support up to 12 months – regular follow-up appointments every 3 months to make sure you’re getting the best out of CPAP therapy, and a yearly consultation with your physiologist to evaluate your treatment progress, and make any adjustments
CPAP therapy is a very safe and efficient way to treat OSA, but some people may notice mild side effects. These include:
difficulty falling asleep
a sore throat and dry mouth
a bloated feeling in the stomach
claustrophobia or feeling uncomfortable
some skin irritation from the mask
It can take some time to get used to a CPAP machine, and you may feel frustrated at first, but any side effects should resolve over time. Speak to your physiologist if you're still having problems after a week – they’ll be able to make any adjustments you need.
There’s no specific preparation needed before you can start continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
You’ll be able to go home on the same day of your initial consultation, and continue any daily activities as normal. If you’re still having trouble with your CPAP machine after a week or so, speak to your physiologist.
Our CPAP therapy package costs £1,500.
At Welbeck, our physiologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book continuous positive airway pressure therapy, you must be referred by either your GP or a physiologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a sleep specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer a one-stop shop experience whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Our specialists
Mr Jahangir AhmedConsultant ENT Surgeon
Dr Susannah BlochRespiratory Consultant
Dr Himender MakkerConsultant Physician in Respiratory & Sleep Medicine- Dr Shruthi KondaConsultant Respiratory Physician
Dr Matthew HindRespiratory Physician
Dr Joana Alcada da CostaConsultant in Respiratory Medicine and Intensive Care
Dr Amit PatelRespiratory Consultant- Professor Suveer SinghRespiratory Consultant
Professor Michael PolkeyRespiratory Consultant
Our locations
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Frequently asked questions
CPAP therapy can help improve your sleep quality by reducing how many times you wake up at night, give you more energy during the day, lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke by reducing your blood pressure, and protect your hearing.
CPAP therapy can be hard to get used to at first, but it’ll soon slip into your nighttime routine. To get the best out of it, make sure the device is always plugged in and that the tubing is secured to prevent leaking. You can also practise with your mask before you get into bed to make sure it fits well before you sleep, and wear it during the day, such as when watching TV, to get used to feeling it on your face.
A CPAP machine takes in room air, filters and pressurises it, before passing it through a tube and into your mask. The continuous flow of air gently keeps your tongue, uvula, and soft palate from moving too far into your airway, which helps you breathe and sleep better.
CPAP therapy is the gold-standard treatment for OSA, and research shows that CPAP machines are extremely effective, but you have to use them consistently.