Struggling with CPAP for OSA? Bilevel PAP May Be a Better Fit

Ever feel like you just can't get a good night's sleep, no matter how many hours you spend in bed?

If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), that exhaustion might not be because you're not sleeping enough, but because you're not sleeping well.

The gold standard treatment, CPAP therapy, uses a mask to deliver constant air pressure to keep your airway open. While CPAP is generally effective, some people find the mask or the constant air pressure bothersome. This can make it difficult to stick with CPAP treatment, which is crucial to managing OSA.

If this sounds familiar, we have good news for you! A new study suggests bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy may be a more comfortable and effective option for some people with OSA. Learn more about the benefits of switching to BiPAP in this article.

Overview of the Study

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease investigated whether switching from CPAP to Bilevel PAP therapy could help people with OSA who have trouble tolerating CPAP. The researchers followed 40 patients for 1 year and 3 months after switching them to BiPAP therapy. 68% of the patients were male and their mean age was 64±11 years. Nearly half of the patients were obese, and 53% had hypertension.

At the third and twelfth month of the study, patient data was downloaded and the patients were assessed through questionnaires during their visits to the sleep center. Patients served as their own control group since they compared their BiPAP results to their previous experience with CPAP.

Benefits of BiPAP vs CPAP

The study found that switching to Bilevel PAP offered some key advantages over CPAP.

Natural Feeling

Bilevel PAP delivers two different air pressure levels: a higher pressure when you inhale and a lower pressure when you exhale. This can feel more natural compared to the constant pressure of CPAP.

Lesser Mask Leasks

The study also showed that in three months, Bilevel PAP significantly reduced mask leaks, a common complaint with CPAP therapy. The reduced EPAP (expiratory positive airway pressure) is one reason for this.

No More Bloating or Choking

After a year of switching to BiPAP therapy, patients noticed fewer instances of bloating or choking. Bloating, or aerophagia, is marked by excessive swallowing of air. Choking sensations, on the other hand, are often experienced by patients who use CPAP.

Better Sleep Quality

But the benefits don't stop there. Patients who switched to Bilevel PAP reported significant improvements in sleep quality and reductions in daytime sleepiness and fatigue. These are all common symptoms of poorly managed OSA.

All in all, the study showed that Bilevel PAP led to significant reductions in CPAP-related side effects such as mouth dryness, choking sensations, and aerophagia. Consistent with BiPAP-related improvements, 74% of the patients in the study continued with Bilevel PAP therapy after 12 months!

Making the Switch from CPAP to BiPAP

Decisions on your OSA treatment should be made with your doctor. Nonetheless, here are some factors that might indicate you're a good candidate for switching:

CPAP Intolerance

If you find CPAP uncomfortable or experience side effects that make it difficult to use regularly, then Bilevel PAP may be a viable alternative.

Ineffective CPAP Therapy

If your CPAP therapy isn't adequately controlling your OSA symptoms, even after trying different masks or pressure settings, then BiPAP could be a more effective treatment option.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, like chronic heart failure or neuromuscular diseases,may benefit from the support offered by Bilevel PAP.

Bilevel PAP as a Hopeful Alternative to CPAP

If you're struggling with CPAP therapy, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor. A doctor can assess your needs and medical history to determine if BiPAP is a possible alternative. They can also discuss the potential benefits and risks of switching therapies.

Discuss CPAP intolerance

Be open and honest with your doctor about the specific challenges you're facing with CPAP therapy. This could include mask discomfort, leaks, side effects like dryness or congestion, or difficulty adjusting to the constant pressure.

Explore alternative solutions for CPAP issues

There might be ways to improve your experience with CPAP before switching entirely. Your doctor might recommend trying different mask types, adjusting pressure settings, or addressing any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to CPAP issues.

If CPAP adjustments aren't successful and BiPAP is a possibility, your doctor might recommend a follow-up sleep study. This study can help determine the optimal BiPAP settings for your specific needs.

Consider a follow-up sleep study

Ready to explore your OSA treatment options? The sleep experts at nightly can provide valuable guidance and support throughout your sleep apnea journey. At nightly, we use auto-adjusting Bi-level PAP devices that automatically change airway pressure depending on your needs. Our experts can also fine-tune the pressure remotely to make sure your sleep is restful.

Have more questions about switching between BiPAP and CPAP? The founder of nightly has been using BiPAP for the last ten years with excellent results! Over the last decade, Dr. Patel has also evaluated many patients that could not tolerate wearing a CPAP device because of breathing patterns that were incompatible with how CPAP delivered pressure. Once he tried Bi-level PAP on these individuals, he observed that the majority of them felt much more comfortable with Bi-level PAP therapy. The patients also reported notable improvements in sleep quality!

We know a good night's sleep is key to your overall well-being. More importantly, we know how to help you get a more restful sleep! Together, we’ll find the treatment that works best for you. Talk to us today and get a free sleep assessment.

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