Yet another question

[coltsfan715]

Well I meant to ask my doc this today at my appointment, but it slipped my mind and I know someone here will know it.

What is a bi-pap? I am assuming it is a machine, but I have read several posts mentioning this and haven't a clue as to what this is and I would like to know.

Thank You,
Lindsey

 

[littledebbie]

It is a machine that forces air into your lungs taking the work out
of it for you.  So it's more than O2 but less than intibation
(sp?).  To the best of my knowledge anyway.  <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/resp_care/bipap.html">bi-pap</a>

 

[Allie]

Bi-pap is a machine that helps you breathe, basically. It makes it less work to breathe, because it offers pressure into the lungs, and a higher pressure on breathing in than out. Bipap helps reduce the carbon dioxide in your blood, and helps give you better sats.

You can get a bunch of different masks, nasal pillows, whatever is comfortable for you.

If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them.

 

[JustDucky]

Hi there! I was on Bi-Pap for quite some time before I was trached and vented. Allie is right, it is a machine that gets rid of CO2 and is used for a variety of conditons ranging from COPD, CF to those with muscular problems that inhibits their breathing. It stands for Bi level positive airway pressure, it essentially operates on two pressures. One pressure is for when you are inhaling, it helps your breathing effort. Then there is a second lesser pressure that kicks in when you are exhaling. It goes from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. The presssures are set by your doctor and are adjusted depending how you respond.


This machine helps with the work of breathing because of those pressures. It is also what is called non invasive ventilation, which means it doesn't involve any vents with endotracheal tubes. It is in a sense a ventilator because it helps with the exchange of your gases. With myself, it got to the point where I was on the Bi-Pap most of the day, when I was off and on my O2, my sats would drop to the 70's. Besides my CF, I do have neuromuscular disease which put me on the vent in the first place, which explains why I am on a vent and had to use a BiPAP most of the day before then.

I hope I have helped and not confused you. It is always good to ask questions. Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[LisaV]

People with sleep apnea are prescribed bi-pap usage. So the bipap is not just for folks who almost need venting.

 

[JustDucky]

You are absolutely right Lisa..I should have been more clear. It just helps get rid of the CO2 levels. Some people with sleep apnea do indeed retain CO2, others don't and are given CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure, maintains one pressure to keep the airway open. I liken that sensation to sticking your head out of the car window while it is in motion while keeping your mouth open) I know of alot of sleep apnea folks who do use Bipap, especially those who already have retention of CO2 from emphysema and such or have a different type of sleep apnea called central sleep apnea . Like I said, there are many disorders that require the BiPap and in various stages of disease. Some intensive care units (the one I worked in did this) many times put folks who had high CO2 on BiPap to try and avoid an intubation. Sometimes it worked which was wonderful. Sometimes it didn't but we had to give it the 'ol college try. Non invasive was much better than invasive if we could manage it. It for one did save my life and did keep me off the vent for a very long time. I too had sleep apnea as well so it was complicated.
Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[LisaV]

Speaking of vents and bipap and cpap.
Want to point out the International Ventilator Users Network (IVUN) site to folks. It has information and links to more information about all 3 things. (See <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.post-polio.org/ivun/index.html">http://www.post-polio.org/ivun/index.html</a> .)

 

[coltsfan715]

Thanks guys for the info. It did help. I was just wondering because I had read about it or seen it mentioned in several posts lately and I had no clue what it was the people were talking about, so I figured I could ask and someone here would be able to answer the ques. for me.

Thanks again,
Lindsey