An APAP or a CPAP machine?

If you've recently been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – or if you think you have sleep apnea but haven't been diagnosed yet – you may be confused about the differences between an APAP and a CPAP machine. In this blog post we will look at what an APAP device is, how it works, why an APAP may be the best sleep therapy for you, how an APAP compares to a CPAP and what the benefits and possible disadvantages of APAP therapy are.

What exactly is an APAP device and how does it work?

The abbreviation APAP stands for “Automatic Positive Airway Pressure”. Auto-adjusting CPAP devices or APAPs help people with sleep apnea breathe easier and sleep better by keeping the airways open by increasing the air pressure, which increases the amount of pressure per breath. Even as those needs change throughout the night as you move in and out of different sleep stages or change sleep positions. An APAP machine uses advanced algorithms that detect subtle changes in your breathing and adjust itself throughout the night to find the best pressure setting. for your specific sleep apnea treatment.

Using a sleep apnea machine such as an APAP allows you to breathe without waking up from apneas. Apneas are interruptions in breathing that lead to nocturnal awakenings several times an hour throughout the night. Sleep apnea devices can also help treat Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), a precursor to sleep apnea that narrows rather than blocks your airway.

APAP: Automatic range of different pressure levels

The general principle behind CPAP, BiPAP and APAP therapy is the same in all three cases: filtered air keeps the airway open during sleep through air pressure, so that you can continue breathing without any interruption.

The pressure delivered by an APAP changes automatically, as necessary, to provide the minimum pressure needed to keep the airway open. Your treating physician will determine a minimum and maximum air pressure range. Then, advanced algorithms in the device automatically determine what level of air pressure is needed at any time during the night, and the APAP machine makes the necessary adjustments.

Therefore, with an APAP, fewer or no additional titration moments are required to change your pressure setting because it is based on a flexible range. This type of sleep apnea therapy is useful for people with different breathing patterns. If for some reason you do not respond well to APAP therapy, your treating physician can reconfigure the machine to still function as a regular CPAP, providing continuous pressure.

You're probably wondering why your pressure setting would need to be adjusted. Very good question! As time passes, your body and lifestyle change. For sleep therapy to be successful, the pressure used on your CPAP machine must be checked periodically and possibly increased or decreased. Depending on your lifestyle and the changes you experience during sleep apnea therapy, you may need to adjust the pressure several times throughout the treatment. The variable pressure of an APAP device will reduce the number of visits to the doctor to have the pressure checked.

Cost: Is an APAP machine more expensive than a CPAP machine?

APAP devices are generally more expensive than regular CPAP devices, APAPs will usually cost between €600 and €1,200 depending on the features and size of the model chosen. There are also travel-sized APAPs, so you can sleep well while you're on the road.

At VivAir we offer a wide range of very competitively priced APAP devices. So that a second device or a travel model remains accessible when on the road.

Top four reasons to consider an APAP device over a CPAP:

• You can use an APAP as a CPAP if you prefer. Most APAP machines can also be set to a CPAP mode, so you can discover which titration treatment works best for you. Who doesn't like options?
• If your breathing changes during the night, that is no problem. Most people don't have the same breathing patterns throughout the night, and an APAP adapts to meet your needs.
• An APAP adapts when you are ill. If you have a cold or allergies, you may become constipated and breathing may become more difficult. Colds happen to everyone sometimes, and it's nice to have a machine that can automatically adjust if your sinuses are more congested than normal.
• Body changes require different settings. Changes in your health such as weight loss or gain may require different pressure settings, and an APAP will automatically make those adjustments within the range your doctor has set.

Conclusion

APAPs have the same therapeutic purpose as CPAP and BiPAP equipment, but with a difference: they can automatically adjust the air pressure to your changing needs while sleeping. This means that you can start therapy sooner and have to visit the doctor less often. Some CPAP users choose an APAP machine because they find the variable air pressure makes their treatment more comfortable. Remember that the main goal is to successfully treat your sleep apnea anytime, anywhere. The right APAP device can make this much easier and more pleasant.