What Is BiPAP Therapy

Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a type of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) that helps you breathe with the assistance of pressurized air delivered through a face mask. The most unique characteristic of a BiPAP device is that it delivers a different intensity of air pressure during inspiration than during expiration. It can be used in a hospital setting or at home.

While most often recommended for use at night, when breathing is more severely impaired by some pulmonary diseases than during the day, BiPAP may also be used during waking hours if needed.1

Purpose of Use

If you have a medical condition that affects your upper airways or your lungs, your oxygen levels can get too low. Your doctor may recommend that you use a BiPAP device to breathe easier and prevent health complications.

• At-home management of a chronic pulmonary illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)2
• A neuromuscular condition that impairs your respiratory muscles, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or muscular dystrophy1
• Other conditions that can interfere with breathing, especially during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity
• Respiratory support when you are in the hospital for a lung infection or an asthma attack
• Transitioning from invasive breathing support, such as after intubation for surgery or a severe illness

BiPAP can make a positive difference in life expectancy and has been found to significantly reduce the risk of death from certain conditions and diseases.4