Sleep apnea is categorized as a respiratory condition that affects around 3% to 7% of the population. One of the most popular treatment solutions is positive airway pressure (PAP). There are three main positive airway pressure therapies:
CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure
BiPAP: Bilevel, positive airway pressure
APAP: Automatic positive airway pressure
PAP therapy treats sleep apnea because it will help open your airway, allowing you to breathe better during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most commonly administered type of PAP therapy, although bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) may be more effective for certain patients. The Auto-adjusting Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) device offers increased comfort by automatically adjusting air pressure throughout the night while you sleep to meet your specific requirements.
Despite the similarities in how they function, there are important distinctions between the different types of PAP treatment that should be taken into account. PAP therapy adjustments should never be made without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
If you're just starting to learn about sleep apnea and treatment options, you've come to the right place. In this handy guide, ApriaDirect covers the best treatment options for sleep apnea and everything you need to know about CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP for the perfect sleep therapy.
BIPAP vs CPAP
To treat sleep apnea, patients may undergo either continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) treatment. When a patient is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), CPAP is often suggested as the first line of treatment because it is the most effective and widely used method available.
BiPAP therapy may be the most effective treatment method in severe cases of sleep apnea or in the presence of another condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What is BIPAP?
BiPAP stands for bilevel positive airway pressure. BiPAPs are a type of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) treatment that may help patients breathe easier as they sleep. All ventilators, including BPAP devices, work by forcing air into the lungs at a certain pressure. Depending on the settings, this causes the lungs to expand, increasing the blood's oxygen content and reducing its carbon dioxide content.
BiPAP therapy is used in the treatment of:
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Obstructive sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea
Patients can utilize BPAP equipment in hospitals, but they are also accessible for home use. The BPAP machines used at home are compact and portable. The device features tubing that is linked to a mask that fits over the user's nose and mouth.
How Does BiPAP Work?
The term "bilevel" is applied to these devices because they may be adjusted to produce either a low or high amount of pressure. BiPAP devices offer two pressure settings:
One for when you inhale (inhalation positive airway pressure; IPAP);
One for when you exhale (expiratory positive airway pressure; EPAP), allowing for lower pressure levels during exhalation.
The BiPAP machine may be programmed to automatically or manually transition between IPAP and EPAP depending on the user's breathing patterns, or it can be configured to do so at predetermined intervals.
What is The Difference Between CPAP and BIPAP?
There are several similarities between BiPAP and CPAP devices. Both use a desktop machine linked to a tube and a mask to provide positive air pressure (PAP).
The method by which air pressure is administered is the primary distinction between a CPAP and a BPAP machine.
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices provide two pressure settings.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices provide a steady stream of pressurized air.
But when a CPAP machine isn't effective or shows adverse side effects, BPAP machines are a great alternative as air pressure increases during inhalation and decreases during expiration. For some patients struggling with obstructive sleep apnea, this makes therapy far more effective and tolerable.
A timer can be set on certain BPAP machines to keep the rate of breathing at a constant rate of breaths per minute.
Continuous air pressure is measured in centimeters (cm) of water (H2O), and the best CPAP machines feature an adjustable pressure setting that provides between 4 and 20cm H2O. In comparison, a standard pressure range for a BiPAP machine is between 4 and 25cm H2O.
APAP vs CPAP
If your doctor has diagnosed you with sleep apnea, you've probably heard about APAP, as it might describe the treatment you've been given. APAP, which stands for automated positive airway pressure, is one of three primary types of positive airway pressure, or PAP, therapies.
What Is APAP?
An APAP machine makes automated adjustments by applying technology that determines whether to raise pressure when it detects an airway event or lower pressure when your upper airway is stable.
Specialists often find patients with more complicated sleep apnea problems, such as positional apnea, central sleep apnea, REM-related apnea, and those who cannot adapt to CPAP therapy, respond well to APAP therapy.
How Does APAP Work?
The software in an APAP device is designed to automatically modify the airflow to meet your requirements as you sleep. When you sleep on your back, for instance, your tongue and mouth relax, obstructing your airway. When that occurs, APAP increases the pressure being provided.
What Is The Difference Between CPAP and APAP?
Understanding the difference between APAP vs CPAP therapy will help a patient determine which might be the best course of treatment for them. Unlike CPAP, which maintains a constant air pressure regardless of the user's breathing needs, APAP adapts to the individual's changing breathing patterns as they progress through the various stages of sleep.
A CPAP machine is configured to a single setting, either through a PAP titration study at home or at a sleep facility. If the pressure is too high and causes discomfort during expiration, the CPAP can be manually changed to a different setting instead of adjusting automatically.
Which Sleep Therapy is Better?
If you're having trouble deciding between a CPAP and APAP, an at-home sleep study or a consultation with a specialist are good places to start. Selecting the most suitable PAP device often requires some experimentation. If a CPAP machine is not producing the intended results, many patients may transition to an APAP or BiPAP machine based on the desired functionality. Others, however, may decide that neither PAP machine is ideal for them and choose a different kind of therapy instead.
No sleep therapy is superior; each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. A patient's specific lifestyle requirements determine preferred sleep therapy.
Side Effects of Sleep Therapy
PAP therapy is highly safe and effective for treating sleep apnea, but it might take some time to become accustomed to wearing the mask and breathing against the positive air pressure. While adapting to sleep therapy, symptoms include:
Nasal congestion
Claustrophobia
Dizziness
Headaches
Skin irritation
Stomach bloating
Most of these adverse effects are temporary and can be mitigated by changing settings, switching mask styles, or using a heated humidifier to provide moisture and avoid dryness and irritation.
If you find that you are having an adverse reaction to your sleep therapy, consult your specialist or prescribing physician. They will help you adjust your PAP settings or explore the use of alternative PAP therapies or mask styles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Therapy
Is BiPAP considered life support?
The term "BiPap" refers to a kind of ventilator ‒ a device that aids in breathing. When you breathe normally, your lungs expand as you inhale. This is triggered by the diaphragm moving downward. In addition to being an excellent treatment for sleep therapy, it is beneficial in a life support application. Removing BiPAP is a choice to discontinue medical treatment and let the underlying issue resolve on its own. When BiPAP is removed as a life support device, the patient generally dies within hours.
How loud are APAP, CPAP, and BiPAP machines?
PAP machine noise readings register at roughly 30dB (as loud as a whisper). Changes in your sleep environment will take time to become acclimated to, so be patient. Innovations in the field of sleep therapy have led to the creation of the most modern and high-tech designs. Most PAP machines emit a noise that can be described as continuous and comfortable white noise.
Are APAP and CPAP masks the same?
APAPs function in the same manner as CPAPs do. A patient wears one of a selection of the same types of masks, and a constant supply of pressurized air is delivered. The major distinction is that the pressure rates do not stay constant but fluctuate when sensors detect varied requirements.
Can I use a PAP machine while awake?
To become acclimated to your CPAP, APAP, or BiPAP mask, it is recommended to use it while awake. Allow yourself time to become accustomed to your mask, or you may experience feelings of discomfort and even claustrophobia.
How long does Positive Airway Pressure therapy take to show results?
Researchers have examined how PAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea progressively reduces symptoms like daytime drowsiness and fatigue. Results suggest that optimum results can be achieved when using a PAP machine for two weeks every night to manage airflow in compliance with a doctor's recommendation.
New To Sleep Therapy? ApriaDirect Has You Covered
Once diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may feel overwhelmed with the number of devices, masks, and replacement parts available on the market. You may also have questions about insurance, compliance, and best sleep therapy practices. We are here to help. ApriaDirect has carefully selected the most affordable, quality medical devices and replacement components from around the world.
Our goal is to provide essential and chronic medical equipment from the comfort and convenience of your own home. In addition, we offer FREE Shipping for purchases over $99.
Newly diagnosed with sleep apnea? These are our recommendations for the best CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP machines in terms of comfort, affordability, and efficacy.
Looking for something specific? Get in touch with our call center at 877-912-4845 between 8:00 am - 10:00 pm EST daily. One of our experts will be able to guide you.
Insured? Please call (888) 492-7742 or order using insurance.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Material in this newsletter is only 1) provided for general health education and informational purposes, and to provide references to other resources; it may not apply to you as an individual. While Apria believes that the information provided through this communication is accurate and reliable, Apria cannot and does not make any such guarantee. It is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice, evaluation, diagnosis, services or treatment (collectively, "medical treatment"). Please see your healthcare provider for medical treatment related to you and your specific health condition(s). Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read on or accessed through this website. Reading this newsletter should not be construed to mean that you have a healthcare provider/patient relationship with Apria.
Related Posts
Make Insomnia Stop with CPAP Therapy
Does another restless night full of tossing, turning, and waking up every couple of minutes sound like a typical Wednesday? You’ve noticed your mood c ...
CPAP vs BiPAP vs APAP: Which Machine Should You Choose?
Three’s a crowd. But picking one option out of three viable CPAP machine sleep therapy options? That’s just as daunting as a crowded room. Fear not! W ...