The acronym "CPAP," commonly associated with sleep apnea, stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and its benefits extend far beyond just clearing up a bad case of snoring. CPAP treatments administered during exercise expand breathing capacity and prolong endurance, particularly in patients with respiratory disorders, according to a study by D. E. O'Donnell, et al., published in the "American Review of Respiratory Disease."
Function
CPAP devices deliver a constant stream of air through your airways, preventing closures that lead to obstructive sleep apnea. The obstructions occur when your tongue, throat muscles or uvula relax enough to close the airway, disrupting sleep The apparatus includes a face mask, straps and a fan pump that provides the air pressure.
COPD Patients
Patients wtih chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, benefit from sustained exercise, but often their illness prevents them from reaching maximal exercise levels. A study of eight such patients, conducted by B.J. Petrof, et al., and published in the "Journal of Applied Physiology," demonstrated the possible efficacy of CPAP machines in reducing shortness of breath during exercise in COPD patients. Five of eight patients reached higher maximum respiration while using CPAP during exercise.
CAL Patients
Chronic airflow limitation, or CAL, causes you to compensate for the limitation by overexerting the muscles you use to draw air into your lungs. The increased workload leads to premature shortness of breath. But for CAL patients, the effect comes long before they've reached their respiration ceiling, or the point at which they are processing the maximum amount of oxygen. CPAP assistance during exercise helps CAL patients use intake muscles more efficiently, prolonging endurance and reducing the shortness of breath that prevents maximal exercise.
Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic fibrosis is a congenital disorder that causes unusually viscous mucous to build up in the lungs, digestive system and pancreas. There is no cure, and those afflicted often suffer from severe breathing difficulty during their shortened lives. Administering CPAP treatments during exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis increases endurance time and minimizes shortness of breath, according to a study by K. G. Henke, et al., published in the "American Review of Respiratory Disease." The study also showed that patients with more severe symptoms benefited the most from CPAP assistance during exercise, indicating a correlation between the severity of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
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