CPAP vs. BiPAP Machines: Which One is Right for Your Sleep Apnea?

Share:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) are the two types of positive airway pressure systems. They help treat sleep apnea and work via machines that help direct air into the lungs and airways.

Failing to treat sleep apnea in time can hurt your well-being, leading to undesirable health outcomes. The good news is that positive airway therapy helps treat sleep apnea, central sleep papnea, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Despite CPAP and BiPAP being similar, they have difference in their work. It explains why doctors sometimes recommend one type over another, depending on the patient’s situation.

This article explains the differences between CPAP and BiPAP and recommends which is suitable for sleep apnea.

 

What is CPAP?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a system that comprises a tube, motor, adjustable straps, headgear, and cushioned mask. CPAP has a constant pressure level that helps keep the airway open while sleeping. It helps prevent apnea or pauses while breathing due to the relaxed muscle tissues in the tracheal area.

Despite the pressure levels being adjustable, they can only deliver a single pressure throughout the night. Only a sleep specialist, doctor, or healthcare professional can determine the pressure level.

CPAP devices are common in obstructive sleep apnea treatment since CPAP therapy is the most effective non-invasive method. Today, doctors recommend using CPAP machines on adults as research reveals the long-term poor sleep on health. People encountering breathing difficulties and infants born with poorly developed lungs also use CPAP machines.

 

What is BiPAP?

Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure, just as its name suggests, comes with two sets of pressure levels. The first pressure level is the inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP). It is a higher pressure level used during inhalation as it helps keep the air passage open. The second pressure level is the expiratory positive airway pressure EPAP. It is a lower level of pressure that is more natural and helps with exhaling. 

BiPAP machines work well for patients who have extra health concerns. The concerns can be complex sleep disorders like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, or Central Sleep Apnea.

BiPAP uses higher pressure for the inhalation phase and low pressure for the exhalation phase. Dual pressure helps facilitate natural breathing. It also reduces human pressure for exhalation.

Most BiPAP machines offer three air pressure settings, with the doctors adjusting them depending on patients’ needs.

The three air pressure settings include: 

  • Spontaneous switching: It senses breathing problems. It allows the system to adjust the exhalation-positive airway pressure (EPAP) and inspiratory-positive airway pressure (IPAP) levels.
  • Timed Switching: Enables patients to program EPAP and IPAP phase’s duration. It is an excellent setting for individuals who want to maintain a great breath rate.
  • Timed switching/Spontaneous: It is a setting that helps in supporting natural breathing patterns and detecting drops in the pattern. The system will adjust whenever it senses a drop below the preset breaths per minute number.

BiPAP machines are excellent for many people with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.

 

CPAP vs. BiPAP Machines: What are the differences?

Both the CPAP and BiPAP machines are positive airway pressure treatments for sleep apnea. The two differ in how much they cost, how they work, and insurance coverage.

 

Pressure

Air pressure level during exhalation and inhalation varies depending on PAP therapy type a patient is having.

CPAP machines produce fixed pressure when breathing in and out during sleep. The BiPAP machines offer different levels of pressure. The first pressure level is during the inhalation while the second during exhalation. Flow of air is higher during inhalation with BiPAP therapy.

Insurance Coverage and Price

Insurance coverage and price of both CPAP and BiPAP therapy vary. CPAP machine prices range from $500 to $1,000. BiPAP machines cost more, with their price ranging from $1,700 to $3,000.

Private health insurance covers CPAP therapy. Ensure you check with your insurance provider since the coverage varies depending on the insurance policy. It is advisable that you consult your insurance company about CPAP supplies coverage like replacement filters and masks. It will enable you to understand the full therapy cost.

If you are in need of CPAP therapy, you can get up to a three month CPAP therapy trial. The package will comprise of CPAP machines and accessories. After meeting your doctor and reviewing all the trial period data, the insurance company can continue offering CPAP therapy insurance coverage.

BiPAP is only covered by the insurance company if you meet certain criteria. For example, an insurance company will not offer BiPAP therapy coverage unless you are CPAP therapy intolerant.

 

 

Recommendations on Who Should Use CPAP and BiPAP Machines

Recommendations for the person who should use CPAP or BiPAP depend on the person’s sleep apnea type. CPAP and BiPAP will also depend on whether the patient has responded to other treatment types. 

Most people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea prefer CPAP therapy treatment. When you use CPAP therapy properly, It will treat most OSA cases. BiPAP machines are preferable for an individuals suffering from complex breathing issues during sleep. BiPAP is also an excellent option for individuals suffering from OSA who are not in a position to tolerate CPAP therapy.


CPAP vs. BiPAP: Which Is Best for You?

Despite CPAP and BiPAP machines having similar looks and functions, their differences do have a significant impact when it comes to treatment. The decision to move from one to another should always come from your doctor.

Those using CPAP do have an adjustment period before they get comfortable using the machines. You can manage discomfort by using different types of masks, adjusting settings, or using a machine that reduces air pressure. BiPAP treatment suits patients who do not tolerate CPAP. The use of the machine needs to be supervised by a sleep apnea professional.


At SomnoMed, we strive to provide effective and comfortable sleep apnea treatment. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our CPAP alternative treatments.


 

CPAP vs. BiPAP Machines: What are the differences?

Both the CPAP and BiPAP machines are positive airway pressure treatments for sleep apnea. The two differ in how much they cost, how they work, and insurance coverage. 

 

Pressure

Air pressure level during exhalation and inhalation varies depending on PAP therapy type a patient is having. 

CPAP machines produce fixed pressure when breathing in and out during sleep. The BiPAP machines offer different levels of pressure. The first pressure level is during the inhalation while the second during exhalation. Flow of air is higher during inhalation with BiPAP therapy.

 

 

Sleep Apnea and Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder capable of affecting people with obesity. It is common in people with a BMI higher than 50. According to recent studies, children with obesity are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop OSA when compared to those without obesity. Obesity in adolescents and children is measured by BMI, but results are interpreted differently. Since body fat can change during your youth, the BMI of an adolescent or a child is compared to the BMI of those of the same sex and age.

Obesity and Sleep Apnea in Children

1% to 5% of children have obstructive sleep apnea. The children at most risk are those with enlarged tonsils or obesity. According to recent studies, children with obesity are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop OSA when compared to those without obesity. Obesity in adolescents and children is measured by BMI, but results are interpreted differently. Since body fat can change during your youth, the BMI of an adolescent or a child is compared to the BMI of those of the same sex and age.

Does Losing Weight Help in Getting Rid of Sleep Apnea?

Weight loss is not the only sure way to treat sleep apnea. It can provide substantial health benefits, including improved sleep and overall general wealth. Weight gain leads to a 10% increase in the risk of sleep apnea. The same percentage of weight loss can lead to a 20% improvement in sleep apnea symptoms.

Obese patients with bariatric branding did record significant improvements in slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM). These two are vital indicators of better sleep patterns. Patients who lost weight without any surgical intervention had the same success rate as those without sleep apnea who tried to lose weight. Despite most losing close to 14% of their weight in a year, weight loss slowed or started to reverse after two years. Most patients had their sleep apnea symptoms reduced with weight loss. The symptoms did re-emerge with weight gain.

At 24 months, despite their weight moving up and down, their sleep apnea symptoms showed improvement despite doing nothing. The main reason why this happens is because of the ghrelin and leptin hormones. When sleep apnea improves and the two hormones are produced at healthy levels, the sleeper can regulate their appetite and lose weight. Ghrelin will continue building appetite even when the patients are sleeping.

When you start losing weight, your sleep apnea will improve as the levels of hormones start to normalise. It will make it easier to lose weight. It will help increase the chances of successful sleep apnea treatment and loss of weight.

Get Help with Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea

There is no single treatment when it comes to obesity and sleep apnea. The best approach is to use your entire body while considering all the factors contributing to weight gain and sleep apnea. An obese person can have sleep apnea, while an individual with sleep apnea can become obese. It is therefore important to maintain a healthy diet and address the causes of all these conditions.

If you suspect you are suffering from sleep apnea and have not sought a diagnosis, SomnoMed can help! Contact us today to learn more about sleep apnea and obesity.