January 25, 2021

Medical Napping for Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy

Medical Napping for Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy

Medical uses of naps. Naps are recommended in the treatment guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for the treatment of Narcolepsy. A serious sleep disorder which causes extreme sleepiness, and often uncontrollable episodes of sudden sleep (cataplexy). Napping can help control the disorder but is usually just part of the overall treatment which usually includes medications to stay awake.


Another new medical use of naps is the PAP-NAP. A 60-90 minute nap in the sleep specialist’s office used to help sleep apnea patients who are on CPAP treatment. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a medical treatment that prevents collapse of the breathing passage at night and also prevents snoring in patients suffering from sleep apnea. During the PAP-NAP, a sleep technician can help the patient try different CPAP masks, and adjust settings on the CPAP machine. This desensitization process has been shown to improve the success of CPAP treatment.