CPAP Wholesale Blog

The Differences between CPAP Machines and BIPAP Machines

December 31, 2010 on 2:05 pm | In cpap | No Comments

Two distinct types of machines treat sleep disorders: CPAP machines and the BIPAP machine. These two types of machines are similar products that are prescribed to allow patients to sleep throughout the night without interrupted breathing. However, the way that these products function are somewhat different, and requires different air flow settings. While a doctor may determine which machine will work best, it is important for each sleep disorder patient to discuss and learn about the benefits of both.

How CPAP Machines Work

A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) delivers a constant flow of pressurized air to the airways. Either a CPAP full face mask or nasal CPAP mask is placed over the patient’s face while sleeping, allowing the air to keep the airway passages open. The amount of pressure used is determined by the results of a sleep study, and is programmed in the CPAP machines, which are small enough to fit next to the bed on a table. A CPAP humidifier can also be used alongside the machine to moisten the incoming air to reduce drying of the nasal passages.

How BIPAP Machines Work

BIPAP machines operate very similarly to CPAP machines. CPAP full-face masks and CPAP humidifiers are both usable by BIPAP machines. The major difference is that BIPAP machines have two sleep settings. One is for when the patient inhales, and the other is for when the patient exhales. This makes exhaling while sleeping easier, as the pressure is reduced so the breath does not have to be forcefully exhaled.

The BIPAP machine can also detect if a patient has not taken a breath in ‘x’ amount of time, and gently increases the inhaling pressure to open airways further and to force them to breathe. This breath-timing feature can be activated with a new setting called the ‘target breaths per minute’ that can be determined by the sleep physician. Sleep disorder sufferers often report much better sleep with this type of machine, as their bodies have to work less to exhale throughout the night.

Make sure to discuss the options with a sleep physician to determine the best sleep apnea machine for your specific sleep disorder case.