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What are the differences between nightly oxygen therapy and the use of a CPAP or BiPAP?

  1. Our contributor John wrote an article on the difference between CPAP and BiPAP (https://copd.net/living/bipap-live-better/), stating "CPAP applies a continuous pressure during inhalation and exhalation. BiPAP offers two different pressures, one during exhalation called EPAP, and another during inhalation called IPAP." You can read more information on the difference in that article. Oxygen therapy, or supplemental oxygen, increases the amount of oxygen in the body: https://copd.net/treatment/medication-overview/oxygen-therapy/ I hope this helps! Warmly, Alesandra (COPD.net Team)

    1. Allyson and Alesandra - I see that this question (from Allyson) was posted back on April 11 with no reply from the community.
      It's important for community members reading this to understand there is a difference between the use of supplemental oxygen therapy (at night), and the use of CPAP or BiPAP therapy for patients at home. The indications for and reasons why physicians prescribe these types of therapies are different.
      We would be hopeful that community members reviewing the two referenced articles will have a better understanding of this.
      Wishing you both the best,
      Leon (site moderator)

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