1. Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient, said apparatus comprising: gas flow generator means for providing a flow of said gas; conduit means for delivery of said gas flow to the airway of said patient; pressure controller means cooperable with said gas flow generator means to provide for flow of said gas within said conduit means and within the airway of said patient at selectively variable, continuously administered positive airway pressure levels, during inhalation and exhalation of the patient; ramp control circuitry means operatively connected to said pressure controller means for effecting (1) a first ramp cycle wherein said gas flow from said pressure controller means is initially output at a first continuously administered positive airway pressure level and raises with time to a second continuously administered positive airway pressure level, said first ramp cycle extending over multiple patient breathing cycles and (2) at least one additional ramp cycle for selective activation, wherein said at least one additional ramp cycle comprises gas flow from said pressure controller means being initially output at said first continuously administered positive airway pressure level and raising with time to said second continuously administered positive airway pressure level, said at least one additional ramp cycle extending over multiple patient breathing cycles; and ramp activation means in communication with said ramp control circuitry means for enabling selective activation of said ramp control circuitry means to effect at least one of said first ramp cycle and said at least one additional ramp cycle.