A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Sleep Apnea
Forum Posting


Archived Apnea Forum115 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Apnea Forum Homepage.

Re: Is the Doctor Right???

Posted by Sleepyrick on September 04, 2003 at 10:46:52:

In Reply to: Is the Doctor Right??? posted by Yawner on September 04, 2003 at 10:19:48:

Yeah, it does make sense.

Bilevel PAP treats central apnea where CPAP does not. Bilevel PAP delivers the air pressure differently with separate pressures for inhale and exhale, each one fixed and unchanging over the course of the night. Pressure changes during each individual breath, but set levels do not change during the night.

AutoPAP is just a self-titrating CPAP machine.
It delivers the same pressure for inhale and exhale, but that set pressure might change from time to time during the night. Each breath gets the same pressure on inhale and exhale,
but that pressure might rise or fall during the night, say at 30 minute intervals.

That said, most central apnea happens as a result of Obstructive apnea and goes away if the Obstructive is well treated.

Don't worry too much about a repeat sleep study at 9 months, as least as far as medical necessity. Research studies have shown that as many as 1/3 of all patients need a different pressure after a few weeks/months on CPAP.

Follow Ups:


Archived Apnea Forum115 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Apnea Forum Homepage

  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved