CPAP versus Auto CPAP. Which one is better?

Cpap stands for  “Continuous Positive Air Pressure”

A Cpap, simply explained, is a turbine that blows positive air pressure into our upper airways. This air pressure is delivered through a guide tube and a mask that is attached to the patient.

How is this pressure calibrated?

Air pressure is measured in cubic centimetres and each person needs a different value depending on the severity of their apnoea. The pressure is established on an individual basis after a study, also called titration. This titration allows us to get a percentile that will help us determine the ideal amount of pressure for that person.

The discovery of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome was in the 1950s; the start of treatment of patients with Cpap dates from the mid-1980s. As with all strands, technology has evolved to improve patient comfort and performance. One such improvement was the emergence of Auto Cpap in the late 1990s. Auto Cpap is increasingly present in the market. Approximately 20% of users in the private market rely on this technology, and this number continues to grow year after year..

Difference between CPAP and Auto CPAP

How does it work?

Auto CPAP is an intelligent machine that regulates itself according to the needs, in this case the apneas of the user. Unlike Cpap, which has a fixed pressure, Auto Cpap oscillates between a minimum and maximum pressure threshold during the night. These pressure fluctuations result in greater patient comfort and a lower residual apnea index (RAI) than with a Cpap. Auto Cpap also has an automatic on/off function with the patient’s breathing.

In addition to comfort, Auto Cpap provides doctors with valuable information that goes beyond the hours of compliance. On its memory card they store night after night information about apnea behaviour, type and percentage of each apnoea in relation to the reference index (AHI). They are able to differentiate abnormal breathing patterns, for example, Cheyne-Stokes-type breating, present in patients with heart disease. It also has an air leak control, alerting the patient when they exceed the allowed threshold.

Which is the best CPAP device?

At Terapia CPAP we are committed to Auto Cpap devices. After more than 15 years of experience in the field, 9 out of 10 patients are satisfied with Auto Cpap in terms of comfort and reliability. We invite you to discover Auto CPAP devices in our shop. 

All our equipment is sold by prescription only.