{"id":24632,"date":"2025-04-21T07:53:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T00:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nksleepcenter.com\/?p=24632"},"modified":"2026-08-30T13:54:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T06:54:41","slug":"bipap-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nksleepcare.com\/en\/bipap-is\/","title":{"rendered":"What is BiPAP, how does it differ from CPAP, and when should doctors consider using it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The term "BiPAP" is a familiar search term to the general public. This article uses it to facilitate easier searching of content. The medical term for a two-level pressure device is bilevel positive airway pressure, or BPAP. This type of device separates the pressure during inhalation and exhalation.1<\/a><\/sup> Unlike continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which deliver a consistent, single pressure level determined by the healthcare team.1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n

Simply put, BiPAP has two pressure levels, while CPAP has a single, continuous pressure level. However, this difference doesn't mean BiPAP is better for everyone. This article will help you understand the principles and prepare questions to discuss with your healthcare team. It should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis, choosing a machine, or setting pressure yourself.<\/p>\n\n

What is BiPAP?<\/h2>\n\n

BPAP stands for bilevel positive airway pressure, meaning it uses two pressure levels, one during inhalation and another during exhalation.1<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup> This device belongs to the positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy group, just like CPAP.<\/p>\n\n

This article uses the term "BiPAP" in its title, based on reader familiarity, but the medical term is "bilevel PAP." The name only indicates the pressure pattern; it doesn't specify what condition you have or which type of device you should use. If the cause of your symptoms is unknown, you should start with an evaluation.<\/p>\n\n

What are inspiratory pressure airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory pressure airway pressure (EPAP)?<\/h3>\n\n

Inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) is the pressure the machine delivers during inhalation, while expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) is the pressure the machine delivers during exhalation.6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n

This article uses the term "noninvasive ventilation (NIV)" as a keyword throughout. In this context, it refers to positive pressure ventilation without inserting a tube into the trachea. Typically, the machine delivers pressure through a mask covering the nose, or both the nose and mouth.6<\/a>,7<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n

For individuals with chronic alveolar hypoventilation (CAH), this term refers to persistently insufficient breathing for an extended period. A stable phase refers to a period when symptoms are not acutely worsening or relapsing. The medical team will select the appropriate mask and pressure to suit each individual's needs.6<\/a><\/sup> These terms are meant to help you read documents and communicate with the healthcare team, not to be used to make up your own numbers.<\/p>\n\n

How does BiPAP differ from CPAP?<\/h2>\n\n

CPAP delivers a continuous, single pressure level as determined by the healthcare team, while BiPAP separates the pressure during inhalation and exhalation.1<\/a><\/sup> This is simply a difference in how pressure is delivered, so it's not enough to determine which machine is better for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CPAP and BiPAP\/BPAP differ in their pressure delivery methods, but this difference isn't enough to determine which machine is more suitable for each individual. The healthcare team must assess and configure the settings appropriately.1<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) conditionally recommends that physicians should choose CPAP (auto-adjusting positive airway pressure) machines over BPAP machines, and specifies that diagnosis should be made through appropriate sleep studies and follow-up should be done after the start of treatment.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n

The term "conditional recommendation" sounds like technical jargon, but in simple terms, it means that doctors still need to consider each individual's data; it's not a hard and fast rule, and it doesn't mean that BiPAP is prohibited.2<\/a><\/sup> In some adult patients with OSA, physicians may consider BiPAP when a higher therapeutic pressure of over 20 centimeters of water (cm H\u2082O) is required, which conventional CPAP machines often cannot deliver, or when the patient cannot tolerate the high pressure of CPAP\/APAP even after the medical team has helped resolve the issue and used an expiratory pressure reduction system.2<\/a><\/sup> This number is information for the treatment team to use in making decisions; it is not a value that should be used to set the device yourself. Having OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or loud snoring does not automatically make BiPAP the first choice. Doctors must consider test results, symptoms, comorbidities, and follow-up data together. For more basic information, please see... What is CPAP?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n