Having breathing difficulties, especially while sleeping, can be really exasperating. Luckily, with the advancements in medical technology, now there are machines available that can help with that. In this article, we’ll discuss about what BiPAP machines are and how they work and help in treating a sleeping breathing disorder known as sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a medical condition in which the breathing is stopped repeatedly while sleeping, which leads to loud snores and fatigue upon waking up. Any person, regardless of age, can develop this sleeping disorder; however, some factors increase the risk of development, such as:
- Obesity
- Narrow Airway
- Family History
- Alcohol/smoking
- Nasal Congestion
If you have sleep apnea, you’re likely to experience signs and symptoms including but not limited to loud snoring, gasping for air while being asleep, dry mouth on waking up, headaches, insomnia, irritability, etc. If it’s not treated appropriately, it can lead to complications such as chronic daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems, etc.
BiPAP Machine and Its Role in Sleep Apnea
The PAP machines are considered highly effective when it comes to mechanical therapy for sleep apnea. These include the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP). The difference between a CPAP and BiPAP machine is that the latter gives two pressures; inhale and exhale, while the former delivers only a single constant pressure.
The BiPAP machine is a non-invasive form of ventilation provided to those who have trouble breathing. It comes with masks and tubes along with the main machine; the home BiPAP machines are much more compact. There are two settings, the inhalation positive airway pressure, which pushes air in when your breathing stops during a sleep apnea attack, and the other is the exhalation positive airway pressure. You can program the machine to deliver the breaths accordingly.
What Is the Downside of Using a BiPAP Machine?
As helpful as the BiPAP machine is, there are some side effects that come with using it. However, it’s majorly safe to use as most of these effects are typically mild. These include:
- Discomfort
- Mouth and Nasal Dryness
- Bloating from breathing in too much air
- Runny nose
- Skin Irritation and allergies due to mask
What Are the Other Uses of BiPAP Machine?
Apart from sleep apnea, the BiPAP machine can be used for other conditions as well, including:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Pneumonia
- Asthma Flare-up
- Neurological conditions that affect breathing
- Congestive Heart Failure
Philips Respironics BiPAP Machine Recall
Back in June 2021, the famous medical supply company, Philips Respironics, had to recall their BiPAP machines due to possible health risks. This is because the polyurethane foam used to lower the noise and vibration coming from the machine has the potential to break down. If it did, it could lead to the foam or other nonvisible substances being inhaled by the person using or handling the machine. This could’ve led to serious health risks that would need to be treated in an emergency. At present, the company is still working to repair the affected machines.
