One of the most common questions for sleep apnea patients is “what’s the difference of CPAP vs BiPap?”
The CPAP and BiPap machines are both designed to provide treatment for symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Both types of machine are variations of the Positive Airway Pressure machines first developed in 1981.
CPAP – or Fixed-Pressure CPAP Machines
When your doctor first talks to you about treatment for sleep apnea, this is probably the term that is used, because this is the least expensive type of machine used for this purpose. It is also quite often used in hospital intensive care and neonatal units.
The CPAP delivers a positive, fixed stream of compressed air to the patient through a hose and face mask. This forces the patient’s airway to stay open, which reduces the possibility of experiencing apnea – periods without breathing during sleep.
The CPAP machine does not breathe for the patient or force air into the lungs – it simply keeps the airways open by increasing the air pressure inside the airway.
After your sleep study, your doctor will prescribe a specific pressure, which will be set by the company that sells or rents you the CPAP machine. Your doctor may need to change the pressure later on.
BiPap® – or Variable/Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure Machines
Respironics BiPAP
BiPap is a registered trademark of the Respironics, Inc. company, although other companies make machines that perform similar functions. In this type of machine, the pressure changes during each breath cycle. When the patient breathes in, the air pressure is similar to a CPAP machine. The air pressure goes down when the patient breathes out, which may make it easier to breath while asleep.
BiPap machines tend to be more expensive, although it is sometimes possible to find used CPAP Machines from reputable dealers.
Compliance Issues, CPAP vs BiPap
Some patients find it very difficult to adjust to a CPAP machine, so a BiPap machine is prescribed to help make it easier to sleep. Other things that a patient might want to try are changing the style of mask and getting a special CPCP pillow. This may help a patient stick with the treatment program. However, there have been some research studies of CPAP vs BiPap and how they affect compliance, and the results have been mixed.
Whether your doctor prescribes the CPAP or the BiPapAlso, it’s important to take the time to be trained on the proper use of your machine so you’ll know how to use it comfortably. This will help you stick with the treatment plan long-term and reduce or eliminate the sometimes dangerous symptoms and risks of sleep apnea.
So – CPAP vs BiPap? The one that works best for your symptoms is probably the one recommended by your doctor.
