continuous positive airway pressure

noun

: 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 Among the most common and effective forms of treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. USA TODAY, 29 June 2023 President Joe Biden in recent weeks has started using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine at night to help with sleep apnea, the White House said Wednesday. Colleen Long, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023 The device, known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, pumps air through a mask to keep breathing passages open. Emma Obregón Dominguez, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2023 President Joe Biden has started using a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, as a result of his longstanding history with sleep apnea, the White House confirmed. USA TODAY, 29 June 2023 The machines provide continuous positive airway pressure, known as CPAP, to keep the airways open with a steady stream of air through a mask or bilevel positive airway pressure, also known as BiPAP support, pumping air into the lungs using different pressures. Jen Christensen, CNN, 7 Apr. 2023 The most common is the continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine, which keeps airways open during sleep. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2023 The records indicated no major complications until before dawn March 7, when Saint suddenly was measured with a dangerously low 44% blood oxygen level after being on a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is supposed to blow air into a patient’s airway to prevent sleep apnea. Robert McCoppin, chicagotribune.com, 17 Jan. 2022 Recalled devices include ventilators, BiPAP and CPAPs, or continuous positive airway pressure machines, which force open the airways of people who would otherwise stop breathing through the night. The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'continuous positive airway pressure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuous positive airway pressure was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near continuous positive airway pressure

continuous pool

continuous positive airway pressure

continuous spectrum

Cite this Entry

“Continuous positive airway pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous%20positive%20airway%20pressure. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Medical Definition

continuous positive airway pressure

noun
: 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
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