What is BiPAP?

Bilevel positive airway pressure (known as BPAP,
or more commonly under the trade name, BiPAP) is a machine that helps you breathe. It’s a form of noninvasive ventilation that providers might use if you can breathe on your own but aren’t getting enough oxygen or can’t get rid of carbon dioxide. Unlike invasive mechanical ventilation, which connects to a tube in your throat, BiPAP delivers air through a mask on your face.
“Positive airway pressure” means that the device pushes air at a higher pressure into your airway, which includes your nose, mouth and windpipe (trachea). That higher pressure keeps your airway open and can help move air into and out of your lungs.
“Bilevel” means that it gives you airflow at two different pressures: one for when you’re inhaling and a lower one for when you’re exhaling. These two levels are called inhalation positive airway pressure (IPAP) and exhalation positive airway pressure (EPAP). The machine settings can set the timing of the two pressures (timed) or it can adjust the pressure based on your breathing patterns (automatic).