The AirCurve 11 is a BiPAP
First, BiPAP stands for Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure, and it is a relatively common device used to treat sleep apnea. Both BiPAPs and CPAPs treat sleep apnea with Positive Airway Pressure. BiPAPs are more advanced in how they provide it, so that they can treat more severe forms of sleep apnea, including central and complex sleep apnea. With central or complex sleep apnea, your breathing is affected by how your brain regulates breathing during sleep. BiPAPs deliver two different pressure levels – one for inhaling and one for exhaling – throughout the night to help control your breathing. BiPAPs can also reach higher pressures than CPAPs for severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, where your throat isn’t open enough while sleeping.
The AirSense 11 is a CPAP
CPAPs are best at treating less severe sleep apnea, usually obstructive sleep apnea (the most common version of sleep apnea). For those with less severe or non-complex sleep apnea, CPAPs will suffice by delivering one constant pressure through the night. This lets you regulate your own breathing but makes sure your airways aren’t collapsing in on themselves, as is common with untreated obstructive sleep apnea. Auto CPAPs, like the AirSense 11, even regulate this constant pressure up and down to be the minimum you need at any time of the night. All of this might sound uncomfortable to use, however, both modern BiPAPs and modern Auto CPAPs have a variety of comfort and control features to address your personal sleep apnea. Some folks with moderate sleep apnea even choose a BiPAP as a luxury CPAP option, since a BiPAP can handle almost every type of sleep apnea!
