CPAP vs. APAP Machine – What is the Difference

For many people isn't hard to identify that they suffer from sleep apnea, just ask their partners or any other person who shares any area where they may have slept. When you are snoring often during the night and there are periods when you stop breathing, it is time to test yourself for sleep apnea, either through an in-lab polysomnography or a home sleep test. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea the next step is treatment, but the question is: which device is right for you?

There are two types of machines, automatic ones or fixed pressure ones. A fixed pressure machine stays at one pressure level all the time. The pressure level would be provided by you doctor or possibly the clinic that will treat your sleep apnea. Your required pressure level is calculated based on several factors. If you have provided a fixed pressure by your clinic, then a regular CPAP machine is the right device for you.

If you don't have a specific pressure setting, then you will probably need to opt for an automatic machine also known as APAP machine. These machines have built-in a range of sensors that allow them to calculate how much pressure you need. These sensors can detect when you are about to stop breathing and increase the pressure properly and when the danger has passed, the pressure it will go down again.

This means that your will get less pressure over the night than you would get with normal CPAP machine, which would be set at the highest setting needed. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea, find this therapy to be more effective and more comfortable as a result. There are also many who have been used a fixed-pressure device and then opt for an APAP machine.

One thing you need to consider if you need a CPAP machine is that the pressure you have been prescribed will have been accurate at the time, but the pressure level you need will change over time. For example, losing or gaining weight, or drinking alcohol before you go to bad can affect your sleep apnea and therefore the pressure level you need. Therefore it's essential to get assessed by your doctor to ensure your pressure is still at the optimum. Alternatively, you could buy an APAP machine which will always provide your with the exact pressure you require.