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BiPap machine ? - GrammaBear - 12-08-2015
My 15 yr old grandson is currently a patient in the ICU at a Children's Hospital in the Midwest. Because of his illness, he was put on a BiPap machine when admitted to the ICU. I'm sorry for my ignorance, but how is a BiPap machine different than my apap machine? TIA.
RE: BiPap machine ? - Crimson Nape - 12-08-2015
An APAP is an auto-titrating CPAP, meaning it can be programmed to adjust the pressure as needed for the apnea. A BiPAP can do the same thing as an APAP but allows for a higher pressure setting and allows for a greater exhale pressure reduction than an APAP.
I hope I made the explanation clearer than grits.
P.S.: My prayers go out to your grandson. I wish him a successful and speedy recovery.
RE: BiPap machine ? - GrammaBear - 12-08-2015
(12-08-2015, 06:30 PM)sgearhart Wrote: An APAP is an auto-titrating CPAP, meaning it can be programmed to adjust the pressure as needed for the apnea. A BiPAP can do the same thing as an APAP but allows for a higher pressure setting and allows for a greater exhale pressure reduction than an APAP.
I hope I made the explanation clearer than grits.
P.S.: My prayers go out to your grandson. I wish him a successful and speedy recovery.
Thank you for your kindness in providing an explanation that is easily understood. My grandson has seen my apap machine and mask and was afraid of it at first. He has autism and feels better when certain things are explained simply to him. I'm not glad I have sleep apnea, but I am glad he is at least acquainted with the idea of me using the same style of machine.
Thanks for the prayers also. He is one sick young adult and the doctors are puzzled on how best to help him.
RE: BiPap machine ? - cate1898 - 12-08-2015
Sorry to hear about your grandson GrammaBear. Wishing and praying for a proper treatment to be found and good health eventually.
RE: BiPap machine ? - Sleeprider - 12-08-2015
Exhale pressure is able to be made much lower than the inhale pressure...two different pressure for each breath cycle. The result is a very comfortable positive air pressure to aid inhalation, and pressure relief for exhale. It feels very natural.
In a perfect world, everyone would have it, but the slight additional cost has caused this technology to be categorized as an upgrade. Therapeutically it is the same as CPAP, but more comfortable for most people.
RE: BiPap machine ? - trish6hundred - 12-08-2015
Hi GrammaBear,
I’m sorry to hear about your grandson and I hope he gets to feeling better, soon.
I hope he does well with the BIPAP machine.
RE: BiPap machine ? - OpalRose - 12-08-2015
Sending prayers.
RE: BiPap machine ? - DariaVader - 12-08-2015
best wishes to him, and pray things improve quickly!
RE: BiPap machine ? - Sleepster - 12-08-2015
(12-08-2015, 06:15 PM)GrammaBear Wrote: My 15 yr old grandson is currently a patient in the ICU at a Children's Hospital in the Midwest. Because of his illness, he was put on a BiPap machine when admitted to the ICU. I'm sorry for my ignorance, but how is a BiPap machine different than my apap machine? TIA.
I asked an attending nurse this question when my wife was having a procedure, and she told me that they usually set the BiPAP pressure at "20 over 4".
So the machine is not being used to treat apnea. The pressure when inhaling is 20, when exhaling 4. What's happening is the pressure will rise to 20 when he inhales, and then drop to 4 when he exhales. So it's just being used to save him some of the effort needed to breathe, it's not being used to prevent obstructions.
At least that's my take on it. If a pressure of 20 were needed to treat sleep apnea, then an exhale pressure of 4 would be way to low. You'd more likely have it on "20 over 15" or something like that.
For example, my pressure is supposed to be 13, but at that pressure I swallow lots of air. So lowering the exhale pressure helps with that, which is why I have a BiPAP. (Actually, it's a bi-level CPAP. BiPAP and VPAP are brand names.)
RE: BiPap machine ? - Sleeprider - 12-09-2015
Sleepster, what would happen to you if your machine was setup as you described? 20/4, you've gotta be kidding! That would over-ventilate most of us into severe CA territory...give it a try.