Large Air Leaks

[Tiercel]

Nine nights on CPAP and about half of those I got enough large air leaks for my AirSense 10 to give me a frowny face. Those large leaks have ranged from 14% to 46%.

The good news and my main question is: My AHI has ranged from about 2.5 to 6.5 for the past four nights. Do the large air leaks render my other stats as bogus or are the other stats still reliable?

One footnote. It occurred to me that pillow friction was an issue with my AirFit10 nasal pillows. I remembered decades back that my wife had satin pillow cases to keep her hair from getting so messed up after a trip to the beauty shop. I went and bought one and the three nights I remembered to use it I did noticeably better with my Airfit 10 needing readjusted through the night. I have and AirFit "for her" coming. It may also help.

[chill]

Large leaks will impact the machine's ability to accurately assess your breathing.

[Tiercel]

The part I am confused about is the source of my large Air Leaks (LAL). My AirFit 10 seem to be staying in place better with the satin pillow case and my LAL have dropped but I think they need to be better.

If I open my mouth and air escapes would that be a source of a leak that the AirSense 10 would record as a LAL? I am not aware I am doing this but I suspect I might be. If that is a potential source then I will try a chin strap.

[FrankNichols]

Yes, mouth breathing or mouth leaking can be a part of the leakage.

[chill]

If the mask is staying in place, your mouth would be the next logical suspect. Do you ever wake up with a dry mouth?