What is the difference between CPAP and BiPAP? Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) are both medical devices used for the treatment of sleep apnea, but they differ in functionality, application, and the type of patients they are best suited for. CPAP, the more commonly prescribed device for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), delivers a steady, continuous stream of pressurized air into a patient's airways to keep them open during sleep. The primary objective of CPAP therapy is to prevent the airway collapse that characterizes OSA, thereby reducing apneas (pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (shallow breathing). The pressure in CPAP therapy is set at one constant level, determined during a sleep study, and it remains the same throughout the night, regardless of changes in sleep position or sleep stages.
BiPAP, on the other hand, is designed to provide two levels of air pressure: a higher pressure when the patient inhales (Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure or IPAP) and a lower pressure when they exhale (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure or EPAP). This dual pressure system is particularly beneficial for patients who require a higher overall pressure for effective treatment but find it challenging to exhale against the continuous high pressure of a CPAP machine. BiPAP therapy is often recommended for patients with more complex forms of sleep apnea, such as those with coexisting central sleep apnea, and for those with other respiratory disorders like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It’s also an alternative for patients who have tried CPAP but have not been able to tolerate the constant pressure.