CPAP is an acronym for continuous positive airway pressure. BiPAP is an acronym for bi-level positive airway pressure. Both CPAP and BiPAP are widely used treatment methods for sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Defined
Sleep apnea is a specific type of sleeping disorder that is characterized by irregular breathing. When the airways prevent normal inhalation and exhalation, one struggles to breathe properly and this may affect sleep. Sleep apnea is often associated with heavy snoring, jolted wakeups during sleep and insomnia. Sleep apnea has been traditionally remedied with face masks that facilitate CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. The face mask is tasked with the responsibility to exert a pressure that facilitates proper inhaling. An individual with sleep apnea would find it easy to breathe in when such a face mask is put on. CPAP used to be the most common and widely opted for treatment for sleep apnea, until BiPAP became a reality.
Characteristics Comparison
The primary difference between CPAP and BiPAP lies in the type of pressure exerted into the airways or nasal cavity. While CPAP allows a continuous pressure, BiPAP allows a dual pressure environment. BiPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure offers a higher level of pressure during inhaling and a substantially lower level of pressure during exhaling. This makes it more convenient for an individual to breathe in and out. While breathing in is convenient when there is a sustained pressure, breathing out is difficult if the pressure is still applied. Thus, BiPAP is a more convenient alternative to CPAP.
There are other categories of difference between CPAP and BiPAP as well. For instance, CPAP is used primarily for sleep apnea but it can also be used to address neuromuscular problems. BiPAP is widely used for sleep apnea but also for a number of different respiratory conditions and cardiovascular problems.
Advantages and Benefits
An advantage with BiPAP is that the pressure can be altered. Not only can there be two distinct levels of high and low pressure but the quantum can also be amended according to the needs of a patient. CPAP has a disadvantage in this regard. It doesn’t allow for any alteration of pressure.
Naturally, BiPAP is a more expensive treatment compared to CPAP. However, given the user friendliness, efficency and convenience of BiPAP, it has become a more preferred solution than CPAP. It has to be noted though that both these methods are proven to be effective in treating sleep apnea and quite a few other conditions.
