The typical CPAP therapy is not sufficient for individuals who have a complicated or severe sleep apnea. This is where bilevel machines come in. The devices will provide two air pressure levels one during breathing in and the other one during breathing out that will help the breathing process much easier and more natural when sleeping. The cost of bilevel machines and how they can be used to treat more complicated types of sleep apnea can make a significant difference in the quality of life and the efficiency of the treatment.
Why Complex Sleep Apnea Needs Special Care
Complex sleep apnea is an illness in which individuals have obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway is blocked when one is asleep whereas central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to give regular signals to the breathing muscles. In the case of a person having complex sleep apnea, a usual CPAP machine might not be able to react sufficiently to these changes. Bilevel machines are more adaptable and offer a certain level of assistance that would be able to adjust to the needs of such patients.
Bilevel therapy involves a high pressure on the inhalation which maintains the airway open and adequate oxygen supply in the lungs. On exhalation, the pressure is lower and hence breathing out becomes less strenuous. This is where the difference in the pressure can help especially in patients who find it difficult to be comfortable or suffocated when using the standard CPAP therapy.
How Bilevel Machines Work
The bilevel machines are designed with automatic suspended switching of two pressures as per the breathing patterns of people. As you breathe in the machine gives you a greater pressure to aid in keeping your airways open. The pressure is lower on inhalation and thus less resistance is experienced, and breathing becomes more comfortable. This process repeats itself during the night where one is able to get more natural and uninterrupted sleep.
Adaptive pressure is also among other advanced features of some bilevel device. This implies that the machine is able to monitor the alterations in breathing pattern and modify the pressures as well. The characteristics come particularly in handy with individuals with central or complicated sleep apnea since they are able to react to abnormal breathing activities and sustain therapy efficiency.
Improving Comfort and Compliance
Compliance is one of the key issues of any sleep apnea treatment. A good number cease the use of their CPAP machines due to the discomfort or inability to breath out due to the pressure. Bilevel machines solve this problem by easing the exhale stage. The reduced pressure will allow the users to relax and breathe normally, something that usually makes them more comfortable and eager to use it on a regular basis.
The more comfortable a person is the more they will comply and the more they comply the more effective the therapy they receive. Awakening and morning fatigue are also typically fewer and overall sense of restfulness is greater among patients using bilevel machines. Of particular interest here are individuals who have complicated sleep apnea, whose breathing interruptions can lead to serious consequences of reduced daytime activity and health in general.
Monitoring and Adjustment
Although bilevel machines are effective, appropriate set up and monitoring is required. Bilevel therapy is usually prescribed by the doctors, after a complete sleep study, and the settings may also require fine-tuning to achieve good results. The machine usage data such as breathing patterns and therapy effectiveness is stored in many machines and reviewed by healthcare providers. Changes can be either remote or given by the follow up visits so that the therapy will remain appropriate to the needs of the patient.
The Benefits of Bilevel Therapy
In general, bilevel machines offer a specific modality of treating complicated sleep apnea. They enhance comfort, assist the natural breathing and also manage the obstructive and central events. The bilevel therapy is life changing to patients who have had difficulties with the conventional CPAP therapy as they will experience better sleep, increased daytime energy and long term health effects.
Complex sleep apnea does not need any machine, but a machine of the correct type. Bilevel machines have the flexibility, and ease that ensure that the therapy is viable and sustainable as patients have increased opportunities to have a full and healthy sleep.