What are the differences between CPAP and BiPAP
Both CPAP and BiPAP are treatments for sleep apnea that use airway pressure to treat pauses in breathing during sleep. While there are differences between the two, there are also many similarities. Read on to discover CPAP vs BIPAP information that may assist you in finding the best solution.
What is CPAP?
CPAPstands for continuous positive airway pressure, which is the most popular treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It uses air pressure generated by a machine, delivered through a tube into a mask that fits over the nose or mouth.
What is BiPAP?
BiPAP refers to Bilevel or two-level positive airway pressure. Like CPAP, air is sent through a tube into a mask that fits over the nose. While CPAP delivers a single pressure, BiPAP delivers an inhale pressure and an exhale pressure.
Which is better, CPAP or BiPAP?
Each is used for a special purpose. BiPAP was generally more expensive than CPAP. BiPAP is often used when CPAP is not tolerated by patients, such as difficulty exhaling against the air or swallowing air, or patients need higher pressure to adequately treat his or her sleep apnea more effectively.
