BIPAP Machine for Sleep Apnea Treatment

People with a diagnosis of sleep apnea will seldom experience a good night’s rest. While sleeping, the muscles relax in the back of the throat, causing the upper airway to collapse or narrow. An airway collapse followed by snoring can lead to periods of disruption in breathing, which is a condition that is called sleep apnea. When these pauses in breathing are frequent enough or long enough, the brain can become deprived of oxygen, which signals the body to gasp, choke or cough, in order to start the breathing cycle. A person may wake up and resume a normal breathing pattern, only to repeat this cycle of breathing interruption continually. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your sleep specialist will typically recommend the use of a BIPAP machine, in order to prevent apnea episodes.

Options for Treating Apnea

Initially, most physicians will prescribe a CPAP machine to treat apnea, because the BIPAP machine isn’t always covered by a person’s health insurance. Because of this, the  machine is less known. Both types of PAP devices feature a programmable unit that’s designed to compress air, tubing, and a nose mask and headgear that will attach to the face.  The BIPAP will deliver a flow of compressed air, just like a CPAP machine, but BIPAP devices feature two levels of air pressure.

The BIPAP device is programmed to deliver air at a specific level for inhaling and a lower level for exhaling. When the user exhales, the device will sense the change and switch to a lower pressure. By providing variable resistance and a constant air flow to the upper airway, this type of treatment can prevent the airways from collapsing, thus preventing apnea episodes or snoring.

People who use CPAP devices have to constantly breathe against high levels of air pressure, which can become uncomfortable. People who use BIPAP therapy won’t have to work hard to exhale against the air pressure. Patients who suffer from respiratory disease or patients who are unable to tolerate the constant high level of air pressure from CPAP devices may be more comfortable using BIPAP therapy.

A BIPAP user will be able to appreciate a more normal sleep cycle, one that’s uninterrupted by snoring or apnea episodes and their partners will be able to enjoy a better night’s rest as well. Studies have shown that people who use BIPAP therapy say they’re more alert, more productive, less drowsy and in a better mood during the day. Additionally, these people will also experience an improvement in concentration and memory. Untreated cases of apnea can cause stroke, heart attacks, hypertension or possibly even death. Using a type of PAP therapy can work to significantly decrease your odds of further health complications.

A Sleep Study for an Apnea Diagnosis

It will take time to get used to BIPAP therapy and you may feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks of use. If your bed partner reports loud snoring or frequent interruptions in your breathing during the night, experts recommend undergoing a sleep study. During a sleep study you’ll spend the night at a sleep clinic, where you’ll be monitored while you sleep. This will help your physician to determine what type of apnea you have, what is causing it and how to best treat it.