Is a CPAP Machine Good for Asthma?

If you’re living with asthma and experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties, you’re not alone. Many adults with asthma also report poor-quality sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, or even breathing disturbances that resemble sleep apnea. Naturally, this leads to the question: Is a CPAP machine good for asthma?

While CPAP therapy is traditionally prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea, studies suggest that there may be a beneficial crossover for people dealing with both asthma and sleep problems. The connection between asthma and CPAP machine use is increasingly being studied — and the early results are promising.

This blog explores the science, patient benefits, and what you need to know if you’re managing asthma and sleep apnea together.

Are Asthma and Sleep Apnea Related?

Let’s start with an important question: Are asthma and sleep apnea related?

Research suggests they are. Studies show that people with asthma are significantly more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — and those with OSA may have more severe asthma symptoms at night. According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, up to 40% of adults with asthma also have OSA, indicating a strong co-occurrence [1].

This overlap is often referred to as the “asthma and sleep apnea overlap syndrome,” and it’s linked to:

• Increased nighttime wheezing

• Greater oxygen desaturation during sleep

• Reduced lung function

• Heightened airway inflammation

Recognising the shared symptoms between the two is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding the Difference Between Asthma and Sleep Apnea

Although they both affect breathing, the difference between asthma and sleep apnea lies in the cause and timing of symptoms.

Understanding these differences helps tailor your treatment — especially if you may be living with both conditions simultaneously.

CPAP and Asthma: Can It Help?

Now to the big question: Is a CPAP machine good for asthma?

For patients diagnosed with both CPAP and asthma, the answer is increasingly yes — particularly if their asthma symptoms worsen at night or if they’ve been diagnosed with co-existing OSA.

What the research says

A 2017 study published in Chest Journal showed that using CPAP machines improved airway hyper-responsiveness in patients with asthma and OSA [2].

Another clinical trial published in The Journal of Asthma found that CPAP therapy reduced nighttime asthma symptoms and improved quality of life for patients with both conditions [3].

Let’s look at the evidence behind sleep apnea and asthma treatment using CPAP:

• Reduction in Nighttime Asthma Symptoms: CPAP has been shown to decrease nocturnal asthma symptoms and improve peak expiratory flow in the morning [4].

• Better Airway Function: Long-term CPAP use improves pulmonary function in patients with overlap syndrome.

• Fewer Exacerbations: Patients with both asthma and OSA who use CPAP report fewer asthma attacks and less frequent nighttime medication use.

These studies reinforce the idea that CPAP therapy isn’t just for OSA — it has broader applications for improving respiratory health in people with co-existing asthma.

How does it work? 

A CPAP machine and asthma therapy combination helps by:

• Keeping the upper airway open during sleep
  

• Reducing nighttime airway inflammation
  

• Minimising oxygen desaturation
  

• Improving overall sleep quality, which contributes to better asthma control

If you find that asthma symptoms are more severe at night, CPAP may help reduce these disturbances, particularly if OSA is a contributing factor.

Sleep Apnea and Asthma Symptoms: What to watch for

It can be challenging to determine whether your nighttime breathing difficulties are purely asthma-related or if sleep apnea and asthma symptoms are overlapping. Here’s what to look for:

• Loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep

• Waking up frequently or feeling unrested in the morning

• Daytime fatigue despite getting “enough” sleep

• Increased use of asthma medication at night

• Morning headaches or dry mouth

These could all be indicators that OSA is present — and that you may benefit from testing and, if necessary, CPAP therapy.

How to Know If CPAP Is Right for You

If you’re living with asthma and CPAP machine use is being considered, the first step is to confirm whether OSA is part of the picture. Fortunately, diagnosing sleep apnea is now easier and more accessible than ever.

NSW CPAP offers at-home testing through our Sleep Trials and a range of CPAP Machines for purchase — designed for personalised, results-driven treatment.

These options are ideal for asthma patients who suspect that OSA may be contributing to their sleep problems.

CPAP Machines Designed for Comfort and Control

Modern CPAP devices are far more advanced than earlier models. For people dealing with both CPAP and asthma, today’s machines:

• Include heated humidifiers to reduce airway dryness and irritation

• Offer pressure relief features that adapt to your breathing pattern

• Operate quietly to minimise sleep disturbance

• Support remote monitoring and adjustments by healthcare providers

Explore our CPAP machine range for the latest models designed with comfort and respiratory support in mind.

Managing Asthma and Sleep Apnea Together

Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma are closely connected — and when they occur together, they require an integrated treatment approach. For many patients, CPAP therapy provides that much-needed link, improving sleep, reducing asthma flare-ups, and enhancing daytime quality of life.

So, is a CPAP machine good for asthma? If you’ve been diagnosed with or suspect OSA, the answer is yes — it could be a game changer.

With accurate testing and the right machine, patients with asthma and sleep apnea can breathe easier, sleep better, and live healthier. The first step is simple: try a sleep test and discover the difference for yourself.