Underventilation is not uncommon and assisted breathing through mechanical ventilation can help people prevent respiratory failure. Oxygen is not the preferred treatment for under-ventilation and may exacerbate the condition. The following descriptive terms may be helpful. CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Air flows continuously into the airways via the nose with use of a nasal mask. CPAP keeps the airways open, but does NOT assist inspiratory muscle activity directly NOR does it assist gas exchange in the lungs.
Higher pressures make exhaling uncomfortable and difficult.
CPAP is primarily used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, and thus is normally used only at night during sleep. CPAP units are not ventilators. Positive Airway Pressure BiPAP refers to both a method of breathing and a machine. BiPAP units also continuously deliver air, but the inspiratory pressure can be adjusted separately from the expiratory pressure. BiPAP units are also used with a face or nasal mask or nasal pillows, and like CPAP, used mainly at night.