What are the main differences between CPAP and BIPAP machines?

Positive airway pressure is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea, a kind of sleep disorder in which pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep occur more often than normal. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is usually recommended by doctors for treating sleep apnea, but bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a better option for some patients suffering from this breathing disorder.

The risk of sleep apnea increases with age so your beloved senior can fall prey to this disease anytime and their doctor may recommend the use of CPAP or BiPAP machines according to the needs of your loved ones. You can either get the medical devices on rent or buy them from an elder care service in Kolkata. They will also provide you with instructions on how to use, set up and care for the CPAP and BiPAP machines. 

Now, let us have a close look at the main difference between CPAP and BiPAP machines:

→   CPAP and BiPAP machines are both forms of positive airway pressure therapy, which uses compressed air to open and support the airway during sleep. The compressor of the machines generates the pressurized air and directs it to the user’s airway through an air filter into a flexible tube. This tube delivers purified air into masks that are sealed around the nose or mouth of a person. CPAP machines have an adjustable pressure setting that delivers between 4 to 20 cm H2O ( a measure of air pressure that stands for centimeters of water pressure) regardless of whether the patient is inhaling or exhaling. BiPAP machines have two pressure settings namely inhalation positive airways pressure (IPAP) and exhalation positive airway pressure(EPAP) that allows lower pressure levels during exhalation. BiPAP machines have a pressure range of 4 to 25 cm H2O.The switch between IPAP AND EPAP may be timed or automatically based on the patient’s breathing pattern.

→   There are portable CPAP machines available in the market designed for travelling purposes, while BiPAP machines are designed for at-home use as they require additional sensors or settings. CPAP machines usually cost less than BiPAP machines. CPAP machines approximately cost around INR 30K-40Kwhereas the cost of BIPAP machines ranges between INR 55K -65K according to features.

→   CPAP Machines are generally used to treat Obstructive sleep apnea  (OSA) a condition in which breathing stops involuntarily for brief periods during sleep and it can also improve other problems like snoring, insomnia, lack of concentration, frequent nighttime awakenings.  BiPAP machines are primarily used to treat central sleep apnea (CSA), a condition in which a person’s breathing usually stops and starts during sleep. Additionally, BiPAP is also used to treat heart, lung and neurological disorders that require structured airway support during sleep.

Though both the machines may seem similar, they have some significant differences so we should always follow the advice of the specialist before switching from CPAP to BiPAP or vice versa.