If you suspect you have sleep apnea but haven’t been diagnosed or have just been diagnosed with OSA, you may be puzzled about the distinctions between a CPAP machine and an APAP machine.
Most individuals with sleeping problems like sleep apnea utilise a CPAP machine, but there are better options for everybody. Treatment requirements may vary based on your needs. Some people suffering from sleep apnea may benefit more from BiPAP machines, while others benefit more from APAP machines.
In this article, we will discuss what exactly an APAP machine is, why it could be the ideal sleep apnea device for you, and the difference between an APAP machine and a CPAP machine.
APAP Machine: What Is It, and How Does It Operate?
APAP machine is known by the following terms:
- Auto Titrating CPAP
- Auto PAP
- Auto
- Auto Adjusting CPAP
- Automatic CPAP
- SmartPAP
- Self Adjusting CPAP
APAPs keep your airways open by delivering compressed air on a breath-by-breath basis, even as your demands alter during the night when you alter sleeping positions or sleep phases.
Moreover, an APAP machine employs algorithms that detect minute variations in your breathing and adapt to deliver the optimal pressure setting for your unique sleep apnea treatment needs.
The underlying premise of APAP, BiPAP, and CPAP is the same: compressed, filtered air prevents your airway from closing during sleep, enabling you to breathe normally.
You can breathe without apnea occurrences waking you up if you use a sleep apnea machine such as an APAP. Apneas are breathing pauses that cause repeated nightly awakenings every hour throughout the night. Upper airway resistance syndrome, a precursor to sleep apnea that tightens rather than clogs your airway, may also be treated using sleep apnea equipment.
APAP vs. CPAP: What’s the Difference?
“APAP vs. CPAP: What’s the difference?” is often asked by sleep apnea experts. Why would you choose an APAP machine over a CPAP machine for sleep apnea if they all do the same thing? The difference is in the air pressure settings.
The fundamental contrast between APAP and CPAP machines is that CPAPs have a fixed pressure setting, while APAPs automatically adjust to different pressures according to your nighttime needs. APAP and CPAP devices create a continuous stream of compressed air to prevent your airway from collapsing. Patients suffering from sleep apnea may breathe easily throughout the night thanks to the constant flow of air, resulting in a comfortable night’s sleep.
CPAP
CPAP therapy, which provides a continuous, consistent airflow at a single pressure, is the standard method for treating most cases of OSA. This is the exact quantity of air pressure required to keep your airway clear of obstacles. Their sleep specialist will determine a CPAP user’s pressure setting.
APAP
APAP monitors a patient’s breathing activity to administer the least amount of PAP required to eradicate respiratory disruptions. An APAP’s pressure automatically varies to produce the lowest pressure necessary to preserve your airway. If you don’t react well to APAP treatment, your doctor may program the machine as a CPAP instead.
Which Machine Is Best for You?
A CPAP machine may be adequate if your breathing cycles do not change significantly throughout the night or with position changes. APAPs are often better than CPAPs because they can detect subtle alterations in your sleep behaviour and sleeping positions that need adjusting pressure settings. For example, if you have more apnea episodes on your back than on your stomach or side, the APAP machine may adjust the air pressure accordingly.
An APAP may treat your sleep apnea and alleviate the symptoms of drowsiness, choking, and snoring caused by this prevalent sleep problem.
Why would you choose one machine over another if they both do the same thing? There are a few key differences that may encourage you to utilise an APAP rather than a CPAP:
- Convenience. An APAP changes the pressure settings automatically depending on your breathing and does not need as many pressure adjustments as a CPAP. Having a gadget that gradually increases the pressure you need each night is useful.
- Automatic pressure adjustments. Because the body is always changing, the amount of pressure appropriate for you right now may not be the right amount for you the next day. In certain situations, lifestyle changes and health conditions may affect the pressure required to make the sleep apnea treatment successful.
Conclusion
APAPs have the same therapeutic purpose as CPAP and BiPAP, but they can automatically alter air pressure to meet your changing demands as you sleep. This means you may start treatment sooner, see the doctor less often, and save money and time.
Some CPAP users choose an APAP machine because they believe the changeable air pressures make their therapy more pleasant and simpler. Remember that the most important aim is to properly cure your sleep apnea and maintain compliance throughout your treatment journey.
We hope this article has assisted you in deciding on the finest machine for your specific sleep requirements.
