CPAP vs. BiPAP: What’s the Difference? Author: Purple Staff Share Tweet Share

Both CPAP, BiPAP, and other non-invasive breathing machines, deliver forced air that keeps a user’s throat airway open to prevent sleep apnea episodes before they start. A CPAP machine delivers a steady, consistent airflow, and the airflow can be adjusted for comfort. An average cost without insurance is around $500. A BiPAP machine delivers more pressure when you breathe in and less pressure when you breathe out (the “Bi” stands for “bi-level”). An average cost without insurance is around $1,250. An APAP machine is another type you may hear about (the “A” stands for automatic). These machines use algorithms to sense and deliver the correct amount of air pressure. An average cost without insurance is around $600. A VPAP™ is the name of a specific type of machine made by the company ResMed. The cost varies depending on the model you choose.

The difference between CPAP and BiPAP machines? CPAP machines are less expensive, simpler to operate, and are usually the first non-invasive breathing machine prescribed to sleep apnea patients. BiPAP machines are more expensive, have multiple customization options, and are usually only prescribed if a CPAP machine isn’t providing relief. What Is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea isn’t a disease caused by germs or viruses. It’s a condition resulting from a variety of internal bodily factors. Science isn’t sure exactly what causes it. They do know that when we sleep, the muscles in the back of the throat relax. As a result, the path that air takes from our lungs to our nose and mouth gets narrower.

That narrowing can cause snoring. The sound your partner (or cat) hears is air vibrating when it passes through the narrow gap. In some people, the pathways narrow too much, and air doesn’t get through. The body thinks it is about to suffocate, so the brain shifts out of deep sleep and corrects the problem. The person may not wake up, but their sleep cycle has been interrupted. These episodes can happen many times during the night — interfering with the natural rhythms of sleep we all need to stay healthy. This describes the most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Another type, central sleep apnea (CSA), is the result of irregularities in the brain’s breath-regulating signals. Most people with sleep apnea suffer from a combination of both types. How Do You Know if You Have Sleep Apnea? Snoring can sometimes be a clue that you suffer from sleep apnea, but it’s not that easy. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Daytime sleepiness is the big tip-off for sleep apnea, because sleep apnea sufferers may not notice their episodes at night. It’s only during the day when the effects of missing out on deep sleep become apparent.

Excessive napping, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, forgetting things, mood changes. All can be caused by missing out on sleep because of sleep apnea. All are serious health issues that require a doctor appointment. Sleep Studies to Diagnose Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed during a visit to a sleep clinic. The experts at sleep clinics use instruments that monitor your body while you sleep. Two specific things a sleep apnea sleep study measures are: The number of episodes of stopped or slowed breathing (obstructive sleep apnea).

Dips in the level of oxygen in the blood, another symptom of sleep apnea. Five or fewer apnea episodes per hour is considered normal. Anything more than that is considered a mild case of sleep apnea, and over than 30 is considered to be severe. Dangers of Sleep Apnea If you’re suffering from sleep apnea — and 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 do according to the latest estimates — getting relief from sleep apnea could save your life. The condition increases the risk of: High blood pressure

Heart disease

Type 2 diabetes

Stroke Quality sleep is critical for proper brain function. The interrupted sleep caused by sleep apnea literally breaks the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea patients suffer from deterioration of the white matter in their brains leading to decreased awareness and cognition levels. But studies have shown a happy result. All that white matter regenerates to healthy levels after a year of CPAP treatment. Do All Sleep Apnea Sufferers Need a CPAP or BiPAP Machine? If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend inexpensive lifestyle changes and technology to try to improve your sleep rather than asking you to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine. Lifestyle Changes That Can Improve Sleep Apnea Since obesity is correlated with sleep apnea, your doctor may first suggest that you lose excess weight to try to correct the problem. Cutting back on substance use may get you breathing normally again. Alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives like sleeping pills relax your muscles — including those throat muscles that are keeping your airways open. Aerobic exercise and resistance training have been shown to be an effective treatment for sleep apnea. Not only can it help reduce weight, but resistance training can help build up neck muscles. Overall, exercise training reduces both sleep apnea episodes and daytime sleepiness. Specific mouth exercises such as those recommended by the National Sleep Foundation, can strengthen the throat muscles that keep your airways open. Also called myofunctional therapy, this form of treatment has been shown to reduce sleep apnea by 50 percent in adults. Changes to Your Sleep Hygiene and Sleep Tech Any sleep improvement plan starts with changes to your daily sleep plan or sleep hygiene. Simple steps like going to bed at the same time every night can make a big difference. Science believes that the more consistent your sleep routine is, the better your sleep will be. Changes to your sleep tech may help too. Specialized pillows can position the head and neck for maximum airflow. Recent studies have shown that anti-snoring oral appliances help reduce the number of apnea episodes. These appliances hold the jaw forward which widens the breathing airway.