CPAP VS BIPAP is often questioned by those receiving treatment for sleep apnea. Both machines treat the sleep disorder in a similar way. But, one is not better than the other. They are just different, and suit individuals for different reasons.
Your sleep physician will be able to help choose which one is best for you.
What Is CPAP?
CPAP is a medical piece of equipment that can be used in the home. It stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is a machine that comprises of three sections.
- The machine/generator
- The pipe/hose
- The mask
The mask is placed over the nose or nose and mouth. This mask then attaches to the hose which is attached to the machine. An individual suffering with sleep apnea typically wears this during sleep to help with getting a quality sleep and keeping breathing in a normal pattern throughout the night.
The machine itself blows air through the pipe and mask into the user’s airway to maintain a steady flow of breath, because the airway is able to stay open and clear.
A CPAP machine has a continuous pressure that does not change. Meaning the air being pushed through the pipe and into the mask is continually at the same pressure all night. Whilst this ensures the airways stays open it can be difficult to adjust to the constant pressure.
This pressure is usually set by your sleep physician or doctor. The pressure will be set according to how severe your sleep apnea is. Those with more narrowing of the airway will have a higher pressure to allow the airway to stay open.
Whilst CPAP works for some, the continuous pressure has been known to cause discomfort for others. The continuous pressure means exhaling can be a challenge and this is the part that some patients find uncomfortable or difficult to adjust to.
This is where BIPAP may be more suited.
For more information on how CPAP words head here.
What Is BIPAP?
BIPAP (sometimes known as BPAP) is short for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure, is extremely similar to CPAP.
The set up, look and way it works is close to exactly the same.
It is a machine that blows air into the airway to keep it open and free during the night, allowing the patient to breathe in a normal and consistent pattern.
BIPAP and CPAP machines function in a very similar fashion and design. Both aim to aid in sleep by keeping the airways open for the user to breathe easily and consistently throughout the night.
Both are also a non-invasive and popular treatment for Sleep Apnoea. A BIPAP machine also has a mask and a hose.
The major difference between the two machines is the pressure. BIPAP has the ability to be set to two different levels of air pressure. Hence the name ‘Bilevel’.
Your doctor or sleep physician can set the Inhale and Exhale pressure so the patient feels more comfortable during the night and does not have to exhale against a pressure that may feel too much.
Which Is Better?
One is not better or worse than the other. The CPAP Vs BIPAP debate cannot be answered as they simply suit individual needs in different ways. Some prefer the constant pressure whilst others prefer the bilevel pressure.
This is dependent upon what is right for the patient, and the severity of their sleep apnea.
A sleep physician will be able to recommend the best machine for you, and will set the pressure level to suit your needs.
