A CPAP machine is basically a tiny bedside air traffic controller for your face. You strap on a mask, fire up the machine, and it spends the night gently blasting pressurized air into your airway so your throat doesn’t decide to close for business while you’re sleeping.

Or, more simply:

“It’s a robot that watches you sleep and says, ‘Nope. We’re breathing tonight.’”

Here’s how and why the work.