People diagnosed with sleep apnea, a disorder that prevents you from resting well at night, are recommended to try PAP therapy. There are several options the patients can pick from. Still, continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure machines (BiPAP) are the most popular and effective. For those of you interested in knowing what each treatment offers and the pros and cons of both, here is some information. Have a look!

What are CPAP and BiPAP?

The CPAP and BiPAP therapies are effective for treating sleep apnea. Both have similar functioning and design and are types of non-invasive pressure ventilation. The devices are used to keep the airway open by forcing air into the system. As a result, they keep the passageway from collapsing and allow users to breathe easily.

What is the difference between CPAP and BiPAP?

1. It mitigates one of the most commonly associated problems with CPAP.

People who use the CPAP machine often complain that breathing against pressure is challenging. It is especially true for the exhalation process. Since the CPAP device operates at a singular and constant pressure, it gets uncomfortable to exhale air. People who use the device at a high pressure find the task even more challenging.

But, this is not the case with the BiPAP device. The machine is designed to work at two different pressures. While the pressure is high during inhalation, it goes down when you exhale. This makes it easier for the sleep apnea patient to exhale when using the machine. It also ensures more comfort and a good night’s rest.

2. The device has two pressure settings:

The BiPAP device is designed to support the breathing process by delivering air at two different pressures. While one pressure setting is for inhaling air (IPAP), the other pressure setting is lowered and meant for exhalation (EPAP). While using the device, when the patient takes in air, the increased pressure prevents the nose and throat from closing. On the other hand, the lower pressure maintains the open airway and makes it easy to exhale. This is why most people find BiPAP more comforting than CPAP. 

The BiPAP machine can also prove helpful for providing breathing assistance to patients with other problems. These include individuals suffering from congestive heart failure and other issues affecting the heart and lungs.

3. BiPAP and CPAP are typically used for catering to different needs:

Patients suffering from nerve or muscle problems might benefit more from a BiPAP machine than a CPAP device. It is true because BiPAP can be set to ensure that the individual inhales a set number of breaths per minute. Also, since the inhalation and exhalation pressure is different, the effort one needs to put into breathing is lessened. This is why in some cases, patients are suggested to try BiPAP when CPAP has failed.

The CPAP can help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. But depending upon the severity, the doctors might suggest using BiPAP.

So, these are the main differences between CPAP and BiPAP machines that you must know about.