Driving when tired is dangerous. In fact, police reports that drowsy driving causes about 1,550 road deaths and 71,000 injuries each year. A person with sleep apnea has a 2.5% higher risk of an accident. Daytime fatigue, sleeping less than 5 hours, and taking sleeping pills also increased the risk of accidents. But when the study participant used her CPAP to treat sleep apnea, he was 70% less likely to cause a car accident. CPAP therapy is the primary treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP therapy keeps your airways open by gently blowing air through a mask that you wear while you sleep. This opens the airway and eliminates the cessation of breathing caused by sleep apnea. Sleeping with a CPAP machine eliminates snoring and choking sounds during sleep. You can sleep through the night without your body waking up from lack of oxygen. Nightly CPAP use can prevent or reverse serious health problems associated with sleep apnea, such as heart disease and stroke. It may also improve your memory and mood. . Improves sleep quality. For some, this means feeling more rested and awake during the day. Your partner may sleep better because you stop snoring. A CPAP system is a small air compressor with a flexible hose and mask. Most machines are about the size of a tissue box, light weight, and relatively quiet. A CPAP machine can be placed on your nightstand or next to your bed. A tube connects the CPAP machine to the mask. The length of the hose is long enough to move and turn around in your bed. CPAP masks can cover only the nose or both the nose and mouth. Another option is to use nasal pillows that fit your nostrils. Some other masks fit just below the nose. Fit and comfort are important when using any type of mask. The mask should seal to keep the airway open overnight. A good mask seal prevents air leaks and maintains proper air pressure. A sleep doctor will determine the air pressure needed for her CPAP to treat sleep apnea. A doctor may recommend her CPAP titration study to adjust air pressure settings. Most CPAP machines also have a timed pressure ramp setting. This allows the airflow to start at a very low level, allowing you to fall asleep comfortably. During sleep, the device slowly builds up pressure until it reaches an appropriate level to treat sleep apnea. CPAP is a lifestyle change. CPAP should also be used during naps. Even one night without treatment can adversely affect blood pressure. The more you use CPAP, the more comfortable your body will be. CPAP can prevent or reverse the serious consequences of sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea can protect you from serious health risks. Using CPAP to treat sleep apnea can also improve many areas of your life. Long-term use of CPAP therapy can protect you from heart problems and reduce your chances of dying from them. A stroke is the sudden loss of brain function. It occurs when one of the blood vessels leading to the brain is blocked or ruptures. People with untreated sleep apnea are two to four times more likely to have a stroke.