Expiry Pressure Relief - Does it really work?

[DeepBreathing]

CPAP manufacturers, or at least ResMed have unnecessarily complicated the terminology used, and I suspect it is only done for marketing purposes. They seem to be doing it to make the BiPAP machines look more different than the APAP machines, than they really are... I also think the BiPAP terminology is less misleading.

Well it's obviously misled you, because BiPAP is a registered trademark of Philips Respironics. It is not a generic term but relates to a specific range of Philips machines. It is not a term ever used by Resmed. Depending on the particular make and model, bilevel machines have a range of options and adjustments which are not found in any ordinary CPAP or APAP. Get hold of the Resmed or Philips clinical manuals for these machines and you will see for yourself.

Pressure support is boosting IPAP for reasons other than treating apnea. I believe the honest purpose is to provide some respiration support for those who have trouble getting air into their lungs. It has nothing to do with apnea, but other issues.

I think the great bulk of the literature would disagree with you on that point.

I think it is a bit of a marketing dirty trick on ResMed's part.

You seem to have a problem with Resmed. May I suggest you sell your Resmed machine and buy something else?

And I can't really agree with his conclusions that bilevel or EPR provides additional comfort.

In that case I have to ask why your profile shows you use an EPR of 3. If this is not for comfort, then why? Do you have problems other than apnea?

Ron I think this dead horse has been well and truly flogged. Perhaps you should move on to something else?

[Ron AKA]

Ron I think this dead horse has been well and truly flogged. Perhaps you should move on to something else?

Perhaps you should go back and read the article I posted the link to. Then we could have an intelligent discussion. If you can't be bothered then I would suggest it is you that needs to move on.

[OpalRose]

This thread has been closed.
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[Sleepster]

In case anyone encounters this now-closed thread and has had their attention drawn to the following point concerning the physics of pressure, I want to respond for clarity.

Lets say that by using an EPR of 3 cm you empty the lungs to a level 3 cm lower in pressure, and to compensate for that you pressurize the lungs to a level 3 cm higher. That adds about 6 cm of pressure effect oxygen which is said to be the cause of the centrals.

Pressure is not a measure of "how full" the lungs are. Your lungs can be filled or nearly empty, all at the same pressure. Pressure differences cause a flow of air, they do not measure an amount of air.

Atmospheric pressure at sea level in our CPAP units of cm of water is about 1030 cm. 6 cm in comparison is an increase of about 0.1%. Not very much.

That's not a relevant comparison. A CPAP pressure of 6 cm simply means that the pressure inside your airway is 6 cm higher than the pressure outside your airway.

And as another comparison when we go from a low pressure weather condition to a high pressure condition this is an increase of about 35 cm pressure. If 6 cm is significant, then changes in weather should have an effect that is about 6 times worse.

For the reason stated above, this is incorrect. Let's say the atmospheric pressure is 1030 cm one day and it's 1065 cm the next day. On the first day you use your CPAP machine to raise the pressure in your airway by 6 cm so that it's 1036 cm. The next day you decide you don't need your CPAP machine because the pressure is 35 cm higher than it was yesterday. Now the pressure inside your airway is 1065 cm and the pressure outside your airway is 1065 cm. Your airway will collapse.

If your doctor prescribes a CPAP pressure of 6 cm you cannot simply raise the pressure in your bedroom by 6 cm. You need a CPAP machine.