APAP vs CPAP: Which Device Is Best for Your Sleep Apnea?

Approximately 22 million people in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. It causes poor sleep and severe health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. Many people use machines like CPAP or APAP to treat it. These devices help keep your airways open while you sleep.Although both devices treat sleep apnea, they work differently. Choosing the right one depends on your needs. 

Let’s compare CPAP and APAP to help you decide.

What is CPAP?

CPAP is a therapy that uses a machine to deliver a constant stream of air pressure through a mask, keeping the airways open during sleep. It is primarily used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

How It Works

The CPAP machine pushes air through a tube into a mask. The mask covers your nose or mouth. The steady air pressure keeps your airways open. This helps prevent pauses in breathing while you sleep. Reference

Key Features of CPAP

• Fixed Pressure: The machine provides the same pressure all night.
• Simple Design: It has a machine, tubing, and a mask.
• Mask Options: You can choose full-face masks or more miniature nasal masks.

Benefits of CPAP

• Effective for Severe Apnea: CPAP is highly recommended for moderate to severe cases.
• Improves Oxygen Levels: It ensures you breathe properly during sleep.
• Affordable: CPAP machines are cheaper than APAP machines.

Challenges with CPAP

• Uncomfortable for Some: Fixed pressure can feel strong, especially at first.
• Side Effects: Users may experience dry mouth, stuffy nose, or skin irritation.
• Not Flexible: CPAP doesn’t adjust to your breathing changes.

What is APAP?

APAP means Automatic Positive Airway Pressure. It is a therapy that helps people breathe while they sleep. APAP machines are also called auto-CPAP machines.

How APAP Works

This image shows how APAP works. At the start of the graph, regular breathing is happening.

The APAP machine notices three short and shallow breaths, called flow-limited breaths. It adjusts itself by increasing the pressure to help the patient breathe normally again.

Later, the patient has an obstructive apnea. The APAP increases the pressure again, just enough to restore normal breathing.

A CPAP device works differently. Its pressure always stays the same and does not change based on the patient’s breathing.Reference

Key Features of APAP

• Variable Pressure: The machine changes pressure levels automatically.
• Smart Sensors: They monitor your breathing to decide the correct pressure.
• Adapts to Changes: Works well if your apnea worsens with allergies or other factors.

Benefits of APAP

• More Comfortable: Changing pressure feels gentler and easier to use.
• Personalized Treatment: Perfect for people with changing apnea severity.
• Better Compliance: Users are more likely to stick with APAP because it’s comfortable.

Challenges with APAP

• Expensive: APAP costs more than CPAP.
• Requires Monitoring: You may need to adjust settings over time.
• Not Always Needed: Some people with mild or stable apnea may not need APAP.

Comparing APAP to CPAP

The image below shows the pressure patterns of CPAP and APAP machines. CPAP pressure is steady, while APAP pressure fluctuates during the night.

CPAP is set to a fixed pressure to stop blockages in the airway (called obstructive apneas). For many people, CPAP works well as their only treatment. On the other hand, APAP adjusts its pressure to give the exact amount of air needed for different events. This means APAP often uses lower average pressure than CPAP, making it more comfortable.

For example, if a patient’s airway is partially blocked (called flow limitation), CPAP will still apply high pressure to fix it. This extra pressure can bother some people. CPAP pressure might also feel too intense when a person is falling asleep. APAP adjusts its pressure, which makes it easier for patients to continue therapy.

The second image compares how APAP and CPAP handle breathing problems. Imagine a sleep study that shows that a pressure of 8 cm H2O is best for stopping apneas. A CPAP machine would consistently deliver a pressure of 8. But sometimes, this much pressure isn’t needed if the airway isn’t entirely blocked. At other times, a pressure of 8 might not be enough if the breathing problem worsens. In these cases, CPAP might not provide enough air, while APAP can adjust to meet the need. Reference

Comparison of APAP and CPAP

Graph: Comfort Levels Over Time

Below is a graph representing user-reported comfort levels for CPAP and APAP over three months:

Factors to Consider

Understanding Your Sleep Apnea Type

Choosing the right device depends on your sleep apnea type. There are two main options:

• CPAP: Best for severe and steady apnea. It gives constant air pressure to keep your airways open.
• APAP: Good for mixed or changing apnea. It adjusts the pressure based on how you breathe.

Comfort Needs

Comfort is very important for sleep apnea treatment.

• CPAP: The constant air pressure may feel uncomfortable at first. It can take time to get used to.
• APAP: This device is easier to use because it adjusts the pressure automatically.

Budget

Your budget can help decide which device is better for you.

• CPAP: It is cheaper and works well for most people.
• APAP: It costs more, but it has advanced features that make it worth the price.

Lifestyle

How you sleep also matters when choosing a device.

• CPAP: Great for people with simple sleep patterns and little movement during sleep.
• APAP: Works better for people who move a lot or have changing breathing patterns.

By thinking about your needs, comfort, budget, and lifestyle, you can find the right device for better sleep.

CPAP vs APAP – Which is Better for You?

First, talk to your doctor. They will check your diagnosis and decide which machine is best for you. Most people begin with a CPAP machine. It is the most common treatment.

If CPAP does not work well for you, your doctor might suggest an APAP machine instead. If you feel your treatment is not working, speak with your doctor about what to do next.

Recommended CPAP & APAP Machines

ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with  Heated Humidifier

ResMed AirSense™ 11 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine

ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine With HumidAir (Card-to-Cloud Version)

Luna G3 CPAP/APAP Device

Conclusion

Both CPAP and APAP are great devices for sleep apnea. CPAP is a good choice for those with steady apnea and a tight budget. APAP is better for people who are in changing conditions and want more comfort.

Talk to your doctor to decide which device is best for you. Treating sleep apnea can improve your health and help you wake up refreshed every Day!

At Sleephapp Medical, we know good sleep is important for health. Our products help people with sleep problems. We want you to sleep better and feel rested. If you have trouble sleeping, sleep apnea, or can’t relax at night, we have solutions for you. Our products are designed to improve your sleep.