If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea conditions, you know how difficult getting good sleep can be. Luckily, a variety of treatments and solutions are now available to alleviate your symptoms and help you get healthy, sound slumber.
In this blog, we’ll go over the three main airway pressure machines — CPAP vs. BiPAP vs. APAP — to give you an idea of your available treatment options.
What Are CPAP Machines?
Continuous positive airway pressure machines, or CPAP machines, are often the standard solution for many people’s sleep apnea conditions.
CPAP machines treat both obstructive and central sleep apnea conditions by keeping your airways open with continuous air that moves through your nose and mouth as you sleep.
The machine draws in air from the room, filters it and then pressurizes it. Next, it moves the filtered, pressurized air through a tube and into a mask attached to your mouth and nose. This airflow keeps your tongue and soft palate from shifting too far into your airway, which stabilizes your breathing.
[Related: How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Health]
CPAP Issues and Concerns
While these devices are clinically proven to decrease obstructive sleep apnea issues and benefit overall health, some people aren’t big fans.
For example, many people dislike the size and noise of a CPAP machine. Other CPAP machine users may struggle to keep the mask on while sleeping or simply can’t tolerate being attached to a device overnight.
What Are BiPAP Machines?
A bilevel positive airway pressure machine, or BiPAP machine, is another device proven to alleviate sleep apnea issues. This type of machine uses two pressure levels — one during inhalation and one during exhalation — to move air through your nose and mouth.
Similar to a CPAP machine, a BiPAP ventilation machine attaches to a tube and a mask (or nasal plugs), which you affix to your airways.
With BiPAP machines, you receive positive air pressure when you breathe in and when you exhale. However, you receive higher air pressure when inhaling. By comparison, CPAP machines always deliver the same pressure level.
[Related: A Guide on Popular Anti-Snoring Devices (What Works or Is a Waste of Money)]
BiPAP Issues and Concerns
If you struggle with poor breathing, reduced consciousness or problems swallowing, BiPAP machines might not be your best option. As with CPAP machines, people might also feel claustrophobic or have problems keeping the mask on at night.
What Are APAP Machines?
An automatic positive airway pressure machine, or APAP machine, also helps people with obstructive sleep apnea. This machine delivers pressurized air on a breath-by-breath basis and uses a range of pressure levels to keep the airways open. Using advanced sensors, the APAP device detects how much air pressure your respiratory system needs.
For example, once a person’s breathing normalizes, the APAP machine lowers the pressure and only increases it when necessary. Basically, the APAP machine continually adapts to a person’s varying air pressure needs for comfortable, clear breathing.
Because they’re smaller and less noisy, APAP machines may be a more preferable treatment for people with claustrophobia or those who dislike the continuous pressure levels from CPAP and BiPAP machines.
[Related: Traveling With a CPAP Machine]
APAP Issues and Concerns
Although the APAP machine might seem clearly preferable, it’s usually more expensive because of its adjustable pressure features and compact design. Additionally, those suffering from chronic or congestive heart failure or hypoventilation may be more suited for BiPAP machine therapy than for APAP treatment.
Connect With Dr. Pasha Today
Still curious about which type of obstructive sleep apnea treatment is right for you? Thinking about the differences between CPAP vs. BiPAP vs. APAP? Contact us at Pasha Snoring & Sinus Center.
Dr. Pasha always focuses on finding the cause behind your sleep problems. He starts with a sleep study, then works with you to develop the best treatment plan.
Additionally, Dr. Pasha is a board-certified specialist and can help you determine whether you suffer from a sleep condition. He’s also experienced in multiple sleep apnea treatment methods, and he makes sure to consider what’s best for his patients.
Stop sleep apnea! Commit to your health by scheduling an appointment today.
Featured image via Unsplash
