continuous positive airway pressure

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 Many are treated successfully with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines that allow them to breathe by keeping their airways open. — Eric Kezirian, The Conversation, "A good night’s sleep, a long-sought dream for sleep apnea patients, may be in closer reach," 28 Oct. 2019 While continuous positive airway pressure machines help thousands of people, many thousands more are not helped by them. — Eric Kezirian, The Conversation, "A good night’s sleep, a long-sought dream for sleep apnea patients, may be in closer reach," 28 Oct. 2019 Total compensation: $8,298,221 Shareholder return: 36 percent ResMed makes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and masks for people suffering from sleep apnea. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "How the 16 highest-paid CEOs of San Diego public companies made their money," 14 July 2019 Kramer hadn’t taken his snoring seriously until he was diagnosed with sleep apnea and began sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. — Sarah Gantz, Philly.com, "The high cost of getting a good night's sleep," 6 June 2018 Traditionally the only way to prevent this would be to use a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine, or a similar device. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Apnea woes? New implanted device may restore uninterrupted sleep," 27 Mar. 2018 Vander Heiden ordered him a device called a CPAP, an abbreviated term for continuous positive airway pressure, to help Johnson sleep at night. — Shannon Green, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF center Jordan Johnson treasures gift of sleep, anchors Knights’ powerful offensive line," 24 Dec. 2017 McGirr’s apnea was alleviated by a device known as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) system, a nose-nozzle contraption that makes its wearer look a little like Darth Vader unmasked. — David Kamp, New York Times, "Exploring the Necessity and Virtue of Sleep," 10 Oct. 2017 There’s a drug-free treatment that works extremely well About 60% of people who are diagnosed with sleep apnea experience major improvement after beginning a treatment called continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, says Dr. Pack. — Health.com, "The Conductors in Two Recent Train Crashes Had This Sleep Disorder. Here’s Why It Can Be So Dangerous," 22 Sep. 2017

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

5 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Continuous positive airway pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous%20positive%20airway%20pressure. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

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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