Sleep Solutions: The Benefits of BiPAP vs. CPAP

Sleep apnea, a very common yet less known or heard of sleep disorder, as the name suggests. It’s a condition wherein the individual diagnosed with the problem or having it has trouble sleeping. The situation of sleep apnea leads to a block or pause and then a restart of breathing while sleeping. 

It’s a serious condition that can lead to other health concerns like heart problems, high BP, loud snoring, and more if not treated or dealt with the help of a medical professional. To cross-check if you have sleep apnea or not, you can look out for the following symptoms: 

1. Morning headache 

1. Loud snoring 

1. Hypersomnia 

1. Gasping for air in sleep 

1. Insomnia 

  

If you are someone who is suffering from sleep apnea and want to know the various treatment options for the same, keep reading the blog as we discuss two of the commonly used and suggested treatment options, i.e., BiPAP and CPAP. 

  

BiPAP 

Bilevel positive airway pressure, also known as BiPAP or BPAP, is one of the often suggested solutions to deal with sleep apnea. BPAP is actually a machine for Sleep apnea that aids in breathing; it is more like noninvasive ventilation.  

  

The machine, so used, performs its functions by helping the person get rid of excess CO2 (carbon dioxide) or aiding sufficient O2 (oxygen) consumption if that is not happening. It should be noted that BiPAP is a device used only in situations where one is able to breathe on their own but is not getting enough oxygen or releasing CO2. 

  

Benefits: 

• Because it’s non-invasive, which means it does not need to be inserted inside the body, it is less risky. 
• It is feasible to transition off from a life support. 
• It facilitates rapid eye movement (REM). 
• Aids in better sleep because of gas exchange, additionally enhancing respiratory functioning. 

 

Types of BiPAP modes 

A BiPAP device works by providing two pressures, namely, IPAP (higher respiratory positive airway pressure) and EPAP (lower expiratory positive airway pressure). Based on the pressure to apply or use, a BiPAP machine has different modes to work on, which are as given below. 

  

1. S BiPAP Mode:
   Also referred to as spontaneous BiPAP mode. It’s a BiPAP mode wherein the pressure released is dependent on the patient’s breathing, meaning that the breath is initiated by the user. 

  

1. ST BiPAP Mode:
   It’s a BPAP mode, wherein the breaths are both patient-triggered and machine-triggered. This mode also comes with a time-set option to apply if required or needed.  

  

1. T Mode:
   Also known as timed BiPAP mode, it’s a mode wherein the breaths delivered are automatically set as per the live respiratory rate. 

 

CPAP 

A full form extended to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is yet another device that helps with sleep apnea. It’s a machine that works by constantly transferring pressurized air to your mouth and nose while sleeping. As a result, there’s no blockage in the airway, and one can sleep peacefully. 

  

Benefits: 

• Enhances sleep quality. 
• Regular use helps reduce the probability of heart problems and strokes. 
• Reduces the frequency or feeling of daytime sleepiness. 
• Aids in sugar management for people with diabetes. 
• Decreases snoring. 
• Boosts energy levels by providing good sleep. 
• Ensures balanced O2 levels while sleeping. 

 

Types of CPAP machines 

Depending on the pressure levels and the variations offered by the separate devices, there are different variations of the CPAP machine. Let’s have a close look at them. 

1. Travel CPAP Machine:
   These devices are small, lightweight, and compact versions of standard CPAP machines, which are commute friendly. Travel CPAP machines are developed to even function with a battery, thus eliminating the need to use a power outlet all the time to use them.  

  

1. Auto-CPAP Machine:
   Also known as auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAD), this is an auto-CPAP machine. It’s a positive airway pressure device that can automatically adjust its air pressure levels based on the user’s breath.  

  

An auto-CPAP device calculates the pressure by itself instead of following the one discovered in the sleep study. One of the key components of a sleep study is the measurement of the patient’s breathing patterns, particularly in relation to sleep apnea. This is typically done by monitoring the number of apnea and hypopnea events per hour, known as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Based on the severity of sleep apnea observed during the study, a pressure setting for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may be prescribed. 

Traditionally, CPAP devices were set to a fixed pressure determined during the sleep study. However, with advancements in technology, auto-CPAP devices have become increasingly popular. These devices utilize algorithms to automatically adjust the pressure throughout the night based on the patient’s breathing patterns. 

 

BiPAP V/S CPAP 

Since both BiPAP and CPAP are similar yet different functioning equipment’s used to treat sleep apnea, Though both of them are different in a lot of ways, let’s have a closer look at the differences between them. 

 

	BiPAP	CPAP
Pressure Levels	2	1
Pressure Range	4 to 30 cm H2O	4 to 20 cm H2O
Functioning	Bilevel	Continuous
Prescription	Severe cases	Usual cases
Cost	Expensive	Cost effective
Usage	Easy	Challenging initially
Portability	Not portable	Portable

 

Conclusion 

To sum it all up, it can be said that both the Sleep apnea devices, BiPAP and CPAP, are useful to treat the condition and show progressive improvements too. 

Each with their own unique specifications and case uses, both are helpful in sleep apnea. However, BiPAP and CPAP come in different sizes and have their own differences and benefits as per their usage and development, but at the end, they serve the same purpose. 

 

About Apollo HomeCare 

Apollo HomeCare is India’s best homecare service provider, which is based in multiple metro cities across the country and offers many services.  

Amongst many services offered by Apollo HomeCare, their services also include the rent or buy of medical equipment. And if you are looking for sleep apnea equipment, either BPAP or CPAP, Apollo HomeCare is your place, not just for sourcing medical devices but for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment too.