continuous positive airway pressure

noun

Definition of continuous positive airway pressure

: a technique for relieving breathing problems (such as those associated with sleep apnea or congestive heart failure) by pumping a steady flow of air at constant pressure through the nose to prevent the narrowing or collapse of air passages or to help the lungs to expand —abbreviation CPAP — compare bilevel positive airway pressure

Examples of continuous positive airway pressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 Of the 75 children analyzed in the study, four needed intensive care, with one child requiring continuous positive airway pressure. — Serena Coady, SELF, 21 Mar. 2022 The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Nov. 2021 If a sleep study reveals OSA, patients are typically treated with breathing devices such as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, which blasts a steady stream of air into the nose and mouth during sleep. — Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'continuous positive airway pressure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

6 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Continuous positive airway pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous%20positive%20airway%20pressure. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for continuous positive airway pressure

continuous positive airway pressure

noun

Medical Definition of continuous positive airway pressure

: a technique for relieving breathing problems (as those associated with sleep apnea or congestive heart failure) by pumping a steady flow of air of constant pressure through the nose to prevent the narrowing or collapse of air passages or to help the lungs to expand The most common treatment for patients with sleep apnea is to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at the upper airway, usually through a nasal mask, during sleep.— Jeffrey M. Drazen —abbreviation CPAP — compare bilevel positive airway pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure