(07-13-2013, 09:47 AM)montehotbike12 Wrote: Recently I downloaded the latest version of Sleepyhead and have noticed a pattern where the flow rate pressure often increases right before on OA, Hypopnea or CA event. What confuses me is the pressures and waveforms are normal BEFORE the events. I assumed that when an event occurred, then the pressure would rise in response to that. So can a pressure spike CAUSE an event or is it the result of an event?
Hi Monte, welcome to the forum!
Not sure what you mean by "flow rate pressure". There is mask pressure (in units of cmH2O, for example) and there is Flow Rate in your airway/lungs (for example, in units of Liters per minute: volume of air per unit time). A positive flow occurs during inhale, and a negative flow during exhale. If we add up all the flow during one inhalation or during one exhalation, we get the Tidal Volume (Vt), which is the total volume of air inhaled or exhaled during one breath. If we multiply the tidal volume by the breath rate (breaths per minute) we get the Minute Volume (Vm), which is the total volume of air breathed during one minute.
(07-13-2013, 12:37 PM)montehotbike12 Wrote: I have been using the machine about 2 mos. My AHI average is around 5. You are right...I do seem to have alot of obstructive events. See screen clip.
The screen clip you posted showed the flow rate, showing periods of 20 to 40 seconds of zero breathing, followed by strong breathing/gasping. The breathing gradually reduces in amplitude during the next 30 to 60 seconds, until breathing has again completely stopped for another 20 to 40 seconds, and then the cycle repeats.
What is the color code for the event flags? If the Light Blue flags are for Obstructive Apneas, and if the Pressure waveform was max'ed out during these OA events, the max pressure setting should be raised.
Because Obstructive Sleep Apnea is usually strongly positional, it would likely also help if you prevent yourself from sleeping on your back, by wearing a snug teeshirt with a tennis ball taped (or in a sewn pocket) in the middle between the shoulder blades, or perhaps by wearing a small knapsack with something bulky but light in it, to keep you off your back.
Take care,
--- Vaughn