Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR)

EPR stands for Exhalation Pressure Relief. When first connected to a CPAP machine, many patients find it difficult to exhale. CPAP machines provide continuous positive airway pressure, which makes it easier for the patient to inhale, but harder to exhale. EPR lowers the pressure slightly when the patient is exhaling to help with this issue. The level of EPR can be set to 1, 2, or 3; usually by the patient as it is most likely considered by the prescribing physician to be a comfort feature, meaning it shouldn't impact the effectiveness of the CPAP therapy.

Manufacturers of machines have their own brand names for EPR. Philips Respironics System One machines refer to it as C-Flex for their CPAP machines, Bi-Flex for their BiPAP machines, and A-Flex for their APAP machines. --Sleepster 18:39, 28 January 2012 (UTC)

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