Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

[Symptoms] Low tidal volume (every night)
#1
Low tidal volume (every night)
My nightly median tidal volume hovers around 200 or less, which is apparently that of a 4 foot person (I am 6 feet tall).

My doctor is uninterested in this statistic when I have brought it up with him, but it worries me because I feel something is wrong. I also have an anxiety disorder, and I am not sure if this low tidal volume is contributing to this disorder or if there is a way to improve my anxiety by increasing my tidal volume. Also, I have found no information about low tidal volume other than in regards to people who are intubated.

Does anyone have some insight? I am basically just looking at a statistic I know nothing about and my doc isn't really offering any clues or even reassuring me that everything is fine. So I have turned to this community.

I have attached a typical night of sleep. I am not tired during the day, things are going well other than this possibly ominous statistic and my possibly related anxiety.


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
   
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Low tidal volume (every night)
Your low tidal volume is because you have low minute volume.
Minute volume is the amount of gas inhaled or exhaled from a person's lungs in one minute.
The tidal volume can be increased by extending you exhalation time but generally your minute volume will remain the same. This can be done by setting your PR to 3 on your machine.

Low minute volume is, I believe, determined by your age, sex, weight, medications and health issues like lung problems. I know when I use oxycodone my minute volume goes down.

I am sure other members will reply also.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Low tidal volume (every night)
Tidal volume and minute vent are relate by a mathematical formula which includes breaths per minute.

Your respiratory rate is more or less normal, so we look at tidal volume and investigate why is is low.

Normally we might increase pressure support, but you are using EPR = 3, the maximum available. Short of moving to a bi-pap like the vAuto, I don't have any ideas. I think a referral to an ENT or pulmonologist would give you more information to work on.
Apnea Board Monitors are members who help oversee the smooth functioning of the Board. They are also members of the Advisory Committee which helps shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Low tidal volume (every night)
You might try a version of PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) to increase your tidal volume. The basic idea is to increase your exhale pressure above what is needed to address your apnea. Currently, your EPAP pressure is running between 7 and almost 9 cm. You might try setting your pressure range up to 15 to 18 cm. This will then give you an EPAP pressure range of 12 to 15 cm, with your EPR of 3. One night's data will tell if this has a positive effect.

Good luck!
- Red
Crimson Nape
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com
___________________________________
Useful Links -or- When All Else Fails:
The Guide to Understanding OSCAR
OSCAR Chart Organization
Attaching Images and Files on Apnea Board
Apnea Helpful Tips

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  [Equipment] HELP - BIPAP-ST Restricting Inhalation/Exhalation Air Flow / Tidal Volume PAPPER101 3 110 03-24-2024, 09:29 PM
Last Post: stevew168
  Good AHI but Low Tidal Volume and Minute Ventilation erolalper 1 147 03-15-2024, 07:57 AM
Last Post: BoxcarPete
Question Tidal Volume Acceptable Range trance 12 3,426 03-02-2024, 11:26 AM
Last Post: Crimson Nape
Question Hose volume Willw 4 236 02-26-2024, 04:53 PM
Last Post: Willw
  What is optimal respiration rate, minute vent, tidal volume, etc? ATeam91 4 463 01-23-2024, 04:19 PM
Last Post: ATeam91
  High Tidal Volume Bartman66 4 407 01-16-2024, 07:35 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Tidal Volume ak996 4 440 12-12-2023, 12:07 PM
Last Post: PeaceLoveAndPizza


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.