Usually, after apnea detection and examination, doctors prescribe treatment with CPAP/APAP or BiPAP machines.

Generally speaking, there are 3 types of PAP machines: CPAP, APAP, BiPAP machines.

A CPAP machine can deliver a fixed level of air pressure to the airway regardless of whether the user is inhaling or exhaling. CPAP is mainly used to treat OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). It helps the user keep the airway open and prevent obstruction of the airway during sleep.

An APAP machine (auto CPAP machine) is far advanced than traditional CPAP machines. It can auto-adjust to deliver a continuous stream of air to the user at an optimum pressure level. APAP is mainly used to treat OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) in a very comfortable way. It helps the user keep the airway open with minimum pressure levels and prevent obstruction of the airway with enough air pressure during sleep.

A BiPAP/BPAP machine can deliver 2 levels of pressure to the airway, one for inhalation, another for exhalation. BiPAP can be used to treat much more diseases, such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), CSA (Central Sleep Apnea). It can not only help the user keep the airway open and prevent obstruction of the airway but also get the user more oxygen and reduce CO2 in his/her bloodstream.

The standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of a machine that provides support to keep your airway open while you are asleep. This can be accomplished with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

In CPAP, a constant flow of pressurized room air is provided via a face mask.

How does CPAP work to treat sleep apnea and what pressure is needed? The pressure setting of this airflow is often determined by a doctor based on your needs. This may be evaluated as part of a sleep study or can be estimated based on your risk factors, such as your anatomy and weight.

An effective pressure setting is meant to prevent both apnea and snoring and should reduce the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) below five, as well as improve the other symptoms associated with sleep apnea.

An associated type of therapy is AutoCPAP, or APAP, in which a range of pressures is provided by the device. If resistance in the upper airway (at the level of the soft palate or base of the tongue in the throat) is detected, the pressure delivered will self-adjust within a prescribed range.

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a breathing treatment for sleep apnea and other health conditions that impact breathing. This treatment is less common than continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Much of a BiPAP machine is the same as the standard CPAP machine. For example, it still requires a face mask and tubing connected to the device. But there are some differences between BiPAP and CPAP. Besides, it can be more effective in select circumstances.

The “bilevel” component refers to the fact that there are in fact two pressures, which the machine is able to alternate between. This allows you to breathe in with higher pressure and breathe out against a slightly lower pressure.

This may help those who are struggling to acclimate to CPAP. It may improve air swallowing (called aerophagia). It may also help with claustrophobia. Bilevel may be required when pressures are higher to improve comfort, especially at PAP pressures that are 15 centimeters (cm) of water pressure or higher.

The pressurized air settings of the BiPAP include:

Inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP): This is the pressure the machine provides as you inhale. The BiPAP provides a higher IPAP than the CPAP. So, when you inhale, the BiPAP supports your breath as you take it in.

Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP): This is the pressure the machine provides when you exhale. The BiPAP offers a lower pressure that allows you to breathe out comfortably.

Beyond these standard settings, there are a few other available variations. They include:

Bilevel ST: This includes the timed delivery of a breath if the machine detects a pause in your breathing. These pauses often occur in central sleep apnea.

S/T Mode (Spontaneous/Timed Mode) & BPM/BUR

A BPM value (Breaths per Minute) can be set as a backup rate in S/T Mode. If the user’s spontaneous respiratory rate falls below that value, the device will add pressure to prompt him/her to breathe.

With the BiPAP machine intervening in the breathing, it can help the user inhale and exhale more naturally and easily during challenging conditions. It can also get the user more oxygen and reduce CO2 in the user’s bloodstream.

Auto Bi-Level Technology to Give Optimal Pressure Levels

With the EVAPS (Efficient Volume Assured Pressure Support) option chosen, iBreeze auto-BPAP is able to intelligently analyze the changes in the user’s breathing patterns. 

It auto-adjusts the inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) separately, giving the user optimal levels of air pressure on a breath by breath basis. Meanwhile, the auto-BPAP maintains a constant tidal volume the user needs.

People with the most common form of obstructive sleep apnea usually start treatment with CPAP or AutoCPAP(APAP). Bilevel, or BiPAP, is more often used to treat central sleep apnea, which is characterized by pauses in breathing without the obstruction of the airway.

Central sleep apnea is identified as part of a sleep study. It may occur more often in people who have had heart failure, a stroke, or in those who chronically use narcotic pain medications. It can sometimes be caused by CPAP itself, but this rarely persists beyond the first few months of use.

The BiPAP device may be set to compensate for these pauses in breathing by kicking in an extra breath as needed.

Some BiPAP devices are quite sophisticated, varying the airflow that is delivered to compensate for respiratory and neuromuscular disorders that affect breathing as well. These disorders include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other conditions.

BPAP is ideal for treating patients with respiratory insufficiency and sleep apnea, like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), CSA (Central Sleep Apnea), OHS (Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome), etc. 

In addition to treating the above diseases, BiPAP is also helpful in the following situations:

People who have trouble with CPAP: People who have difficulty breathing out against CPAP pressure may benefit from BiPAP. People more commonly have problems with CPAP when higher pressures are required to keep the airway open. For example, at pressures higher than 15 centimeters of water pressure (CWP), BiPAP may help to improve compliance among those struggling with CPAP therapy.

People who are hospitalized: BiPAP is a non-invasive treatment for people who are in respiratory distress but who do not wish to be on a ventilator.

More Therapy Modes & Ti-Control

iBreeze BiPAP system offers a wide range of therapy modes to treat different respiratory conditions, severe or mild. In a number of therapy modes, such as in S/T Mode, the BiPAP system allows the user to set the duration of inspiration time (Ti-Control) for spontaneous breathing. If the duration of breathing in goes outside the set range, the machine can change the timing of IPAP/EPAP delivery to help the user breathe normally.

iBreeze BPAP machine comes with a powerful motor made of ultra-durable materials. It can continuously provide pressurized air to a user with pressure up to 30 cmH2O (highest in the market).

So the BPAP is ideal for treating patients with respiratory insufficiency and sleep apnea, like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), CSA (Central Sleep Apnea), OHS (Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome), etc.

With lower expiratory pressure, iBreeze Bi-Level PAP can ensure maximum comfort during NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation) therapy. It also provides the patient with advanced ramp settings, expiratory pressure relief, and an integrated humidifier to better get rid of discomfort. So the patient can become compliant more quickly and maintain long-term compliance.

If you wonder which PAP machine would be appropriate for you, start by speaking with your sleep doctor. After they evaluate your risk factors and sleep study, they can recommend the proper treatment. Of course, your prescription will clearly state which PAP machine you need.