Sleep Apnea, Lung Disease and BiPAP Machine

I learned something thanks to Cindi at the other rehab. She had a sleep study and was overwhelmed with the results. She made me a quick copy of her results and asked that I phone her later.

It was a bad report. Really bad. She has severe sleep apnea. She also has sarcoidosis, which is a lung disease. Looking at the report, she was never able to get into REM sleep. This would explain why she has been exhausted and feeling awful. After they hooked her up to a CPAP machine, up went her saturation levels and she went into REM sleep.

But there was an additional problem. The CPAP failed to optimally control her sleep apnea. With her lung disease, the high pressure of the CPAP machine made it difficult for her lungs to exhale into the pressure. Sooo, that is when I learned about BiPAP.

"BiPAP" is a term that is sometimes used colloquially to refer to bilevel positive airway pressure(BPAP). A BiPAP machine, which is more accurately called a BPAP machine, is a breathing apparatus that helps its user get more air into his or her lungs. Created in the 1990s, the BPAP machine is derived from the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Unlike a CPAP machine, however, a BPAP machine uses variable levels of air pressure instead of continuous pressure. Both of these devices are used to help treat breathing difficulties, particularly obstructive sleep apnea.

How the Apparatus Works

A CPAP machine works by maintaining a certain amount of air pressure within a mask that the user wears, such as while he or she is sleeping. The air pressure keeps the wearer's airway open, allowing him or her to breathe easily while sleeping. One problem with an apparatus that uses a continuous amount of air pressure is that the person has to exhale against this extra pressure. This makes it imperfect or unsuitable for certain people, such as those who are suffering from neuromuscular diseases.

Brilliant. It constantly changes pressure to allow the person with a lung disease the opportunity to exhale but still forces enough pressure to keep the airways open to control the sleep apnea. If you have some of the symptoms below, please talk with your doctor about arranging a sleep apnea test. 

• Waking up with a very sore and/or dry throat
• Loud snoring
• Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
• Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
• Sleepiness while driving
• Morning headaches
• Restless sleep
• Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
• Recurrent awakenings or insomnia