questions reguarding the two prssures for my bipap machine

can anybody tell me how my bipap machine delivers the two prescribed pressure. my current pressure is set to 20CMH20 does this mean that my machine uses a pressure of 10 for inhaling and another 10 for exhaling also I was also wondering when I was laying in bed I noticed that my Bipap machine would stay at 6.0 CMH2O will my machine get up to the prescribed pressure when I am sound asleep. thanks for answering.

springman946 wrote:can anybody tell me how my bipap machine delivers the two prescribed pressure. my current pressure is set to 20CMH20 does this mean that my machine uses a pressure of 10 for inhaling and another 10 for exhaling also I was also wondering when I was laying in bed I noticed that my Bipap machine would stay at 6.0 CMH2O will my machine get up to the prescribed pressure when I am sound asleep. thanks for answering.

the machine achieves different pressures by varying the speed of the blower to change the flow rate of the air.

flow rate into a flow restriction (the vent on your mask) gives a pressure rise, greater flow, greater pressure, a flow sensor measures flow rate, and a pressure sensor measures the pressure that results, and a computer tells the blower how fast to spin.

springman946 wrote:can anybody tell me how my bipap machine delivers the two prescribed pressure. my current pressure is set to 20CMH20 does this mean that my machine uses a pressure of 10 for inhaling and another 10 for exhaling also I was also wondering when I was laying in bed I noticed that my Bipap machine would stay at 6.0 CMH2O will my machine get up to the prescribed pressure when I am sound asleep. thanks for answering.

Are you using ramp? That would start out at a lower pressure and work its way up to prescribed pressure. A lot of people here (including me) have decided that ramp is more trouble than it is worth.

It is also possible that 6 is a minimum pressure (see below), so it starts off with that, varying up from there as needed. Mine, for instance (I have this machine) is never below 10, and always starts out there.

With the machine you are using, pressures would be a minimum and a maximum, I believe both for inspiration and expiration. Anyway, it wouldn't be just "20 cm H2O." Do you have a copy of your prescription? Anyway, it's not 10 and 10; that's not how it works (or shouldn't be with this kind of equipment). Speaking of which, how is that workin' for you? If you don't have it, hopefully one of the helpful folks here will post that link for Sleepyhead, or you can get it from Pugsy's Pointers at the top, download it, and see how you are doing.

Bipap means that you have one pressure for inhalation and a slightly lower pressure for exhalation. A lower exhalation pressure makes it easier to exhale and a lower pressure is sufficient to keep the airway open.

If you have ramp on then turn it off. It is best to know how well your mask is sealing when you are at full pressure and still awake to make adjustments.

Your pressure is high. If you have trouble with your mask leaking, try pillows. Pillows are self sealing (the pressure makes the seal, not the straps) so I find they work much better.