Sleep Disorder Treatments – BiPAP Machines
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are used to treat sleep apnea. BiPAP machines use an electronic circuit to monitor the sleep apnea sufferer's breathing and deliver two different pressures – one for inhalation and one for exhalation.
A BiPAP machine is a small air pump attached to a facemask that fits over the nose and mouth and forces air through the passages or blows the airways open during sleep.
BiPAP machines are generally bigger than CPAP machines, but they do tend to be much more comfortable, particularly for patients that have relatively high-pressure requirements.
The use of CPAP machines is more common and less costly than BiPAP machines, but patients who find breathing out against an increased pressure uncomfortable often prefer BiPAP to CPAP.
BiPAP machines are usually prescribed after participation in an overnight sleep study.
