I have worked in the field of sleep medicine for 20 years and can give you some first hand information on BIPAP machines. Visit my site to get the latest on CPAP mask reviews.
CPAP is an acronym that stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is a form of therapy used for people who have obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes the continuous pressure of CPAP is uncomfortable for the person using it. If that happens, BIPAP may be an alternative.
Though BIPAP therapy is similar to CPAP and will get the same results for the sufferer using it, it does have some differences. CPAP therapy gives one constant pressure for both inhalation and exhalation when breathing. BIPAP has two settings, instead of a constant one. When a person breathes in the pressure is higher and when they exhale, it is lower.
Some patients have difficulty with the pressure of CPAP, especially when exhaling, so BIPAP can be a solution for that.
Another difference between BIPAP and CPAP is that BIPAP is used to treat more than just obstructive sleep apnea. Some BIPAP machines can be set to give a person a breath. This would be used with central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea, when the patient is having apneas because the brain signal does not make it to the chest muscles properly.
It is also a good device for a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People with COPD have low oxygen levels during the night when they sleep. Their lungs are stressed. A BIPAP unit can help them to breathe more comfortably, while also sustaining their oxygen levels at a normal percentage.
Some of the new BIPAP machines have a feature called Biflex. This is a comfort setting which provides a smoother transition from the end of inspiration to the beginning of expiration.
Complications from BIPAP are similar to those of CPAP. There may be mask discomfort. It is crucial to find the best fitting mask or sores may develop at certain pressure points on the mask.
Bloating from swallowing air can be another complication, but does not happen very often.
Your doctor can help decide which form of PAP therapy will be best for you by taking your history and the results of your tests into consideration.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, you can avoid long term complications by seeking out a sleep disorders physician and being tested. The sooner you start your therapy for sleep apnea, the less likely you will be to develop other health problems associated with it.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Understanding Sleep Apnea CPAP
- CPAP For Sleep Apnea is a excellent heal for Sleep Disorder
- CPAP Sleep Apnea
- Put Sleep Apnea to Rest Using a CPAP Mask
- Sleep Apnea Overview of How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed and Treated
- SO YOUR DOCTORS SAID YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA......NOW WHAT?
- Six Non-cpap Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea at Home
- How Effective is Cpap in Terms of Treating Sleep Apnea in Children?
Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Nutrition and Vitamin C
By: Phil Le Breton | 10/12/2009How the best vitamin C can fight rheumatoid arthritis. Talk to your doctor about RA before you buy vitamins and start fighting symptoms today.
Diseases And Condition – Skin Cancer Treatments
By: Justin Mark | 10/12/2009human skin are made from lots of cells, make skin flexible as well protective to outer radiation.
Natural Cures for Depression Problem
By: adrianna smith | 10/12/2009Depression is a state of mind which is characterized by a negative sense of inadequacy and a visual lack of activity. It is a mental state in which the effecting person experiences sad feelings of gloom and downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory and may be due to something complex.
Indigestion Causes and treatment
By: adrianna smith | 10/12/2009Indigestion, in medical terminology, is known as dyspepsia. It is broad description of several different stomach ailments. Under the topic indigestion, certain diseases and conditions such as acid reflux, gastritis, bloating and heartburn are described.
Rehab centers can give you second chance in life
By: Steve | 10/12/2009Drug abuse is a chronic disease, and the only way to prevent addiction is by spreading awareness about its harmful effects. People who have been taking drugs for a long time suffer from severe side effects such as incapability to make correct decisions, loss of confidence, negative thinking and involvement in criminal and violent activities
Effective Natural Allergy Relief - 13 Tips to Prevent Allergy Attacks
By: Jim Rees | 10/12/2009Allergies make you feel miserable and rotten and most people resort to prescribed or over-the-counter medication to get relief. However, increasing concern over the potentially dangerous side effects, that many drug based medications produce, has generated a rapidly growing interest in "natural remedies and treatments" which do not produce these adverse side effects. This article looks at different ways that sufferers can get effective natural allergy relief without resorting to drug based medication.
Way to Overcome Depression, How to Fight Depression
By: Dr. Mital John | 10/12/2009In case of depression there can be few things which can help fight depression. Apart from taking help from doctor there should be something to do on one’s own. Here are a few ways which can help fight depression.
Secondary Hypertension from Various Causes
By: Bud Adrian | 10/12/2009Secondary hypertension is the one type of hypertension that is not from pregnancy or genetics. This type of hypertension is from other causes and is rare as only 5% of those that suffer from hypertension have secondary hypertension. The more common causes of secondary hypertension include side effects from medication, tumors, endocrine disease, and kidney disease.
A CPAP Mask For Children With Sleep Apnea
By: Taryn Brava | 07/12/2009 | SleepAdults are not the only ones who can suffer from a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. It can affect children as well. When children have sleep apnea they are not getting the sleep they need to keep them healthy and active during the day.
CPAP Equipment: Heated Humidifier
By: Taryn Brava | 03/12/2009 | SleepCPAP therapy is the most effective treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnea. Using a CPAP machine can cause the nasal passages to dry out, especially in the winter months. A heated humidifier will help with this problem.
Heart Failure and Central Sleep Apnea
By: Taryn Brava | 03/12/2009 | SleepCentral sleep apnea is characterized by the temporary absence of a signal to breathe from the brains respiratory center. When this happens, there is no effort to breathe made by the individual.
Which Sleep Apnea Treatment Is For Me?
By: Taryn Brava | 20/11/2009 | SleepSleep apnea is the most common of all sleep disorders. It can affect your overall health in a serious manner if left untreated.
Which Sleep Apnea Treatment Is For Me?
By: Taryn Brava | 20/11/2009 | SleepSleep apnea is the most common of all sleep disorders. It can affect your overall health in a serious manner if left untreated.
Which Sleep Apnea Treatment Is For Me?
By: Taryn Brava | 20/11/2009 | SleepSleep apnea is the most common of all sleep disorders. It can affect your overall health in a serious manner if left untreated.
The Facts About Infant Sleep Apnea
By: Taryn Brava | 20/11/2009 | SleepA big concern for the parents of a newborn baby is infant sleep apnea. This happens when you baby stops breathing when he sleeps.
Things You Should Know About Baldness
By: Taryn Brava | 20/11/2009 | Hair LossHair loss, more commonly known as baldness, has a variety of causes and treatments.