What is bilevel positive airway pressure (bpap) therapy?

BPAP stands for bilevel positive airway pressure. (You might also hear it called BiPAP.) It's a machine that gives you air through your nose, mouth, or both. It uses different pressures when you breathe in and out. Higher pressure is used when you breathe in. It may have a mask that covers your nose and mouth (this may be called a full face mask) or a mask that covers only your nose. It could also have a nasal pillow that covers only the openings of your nose.

BPAP is used to treat conditions that make it hard to breathe. It can be used to treat obesity hypoventilation syndrome and certain lung conditions. Some people with obstructive sleep apnea use it instead of CPAP. It's sometimes used instead of a machine that requires a breathing tube in your windpipe.