CPAP is a device which contantly pushes air into the air way while sleeping to prevent an apnea spell. In todays technology; the CPAP machines are highly titrated and regulated which gives maximum comfort to the patient. It is gold standard to use a CPAP and it avoids a surgical procedure.
Sleep apnea is when breathing stops while sleeping. It is a non painful condition and patients usually do not know that they are apneic. The complications of sleep apnea are mostly related to heart, lungs and other psychological problems. To diagnose sleep apnea; a sleep study is done either partial or complete known as polysomnography [PSG].
The treatment could be conservative such life style change, surgical or on CPAP machine.