[Treatment] Interpreting leak rate data - Printable Version +- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums) +-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area) +--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum) +--- Thread: [Treatment] Interpreting leak rate data (/Thread-Treatment-Interpreting-leak-rate-data) |
Interpreting leak rate data - Otil - 09-14-2018 Last night I crossed the 5-AHI limit, and I am wondering what I can do to further improve my treatment. I am especially concerned with my leak rate as my wife is telling me that I am mouth breathing a few times during sleep. I am using Dreamwear nasal pillow mask these days. I am a bit uncertain how to interpret the leak rate data. When looking at the leak rate at times I was mouth breathing (according to my wife) I usually don’t see any significant change in leak rates - will it be easy to see real mouth breathing on the leak rate graph? As shown in the attached screendump I had an increase of both leak rate numbers at around 01.10 last night. Could that be due to mouth breathing? Any input would be highly appreciated. RE: Interpreting leak rate data - DeepBreathing - 09-14-2018 Hi Otil. Sleepyhead reports you had zero time over the redline for leaks, so although it was a fairly large leak at 01:10, it wasn't enough to upset the machine. No doubt it would have made a bit of a noise which could upset your wife, and that is more serious than upsetting the machine. Mouth leakage can often be seen in the charts by a flat-topped graph, which is exactly what you have at 01:10. To overcome this, there are a number of potential remedies including: - The tongue-stick method (practice holding your tongue against the roof of the mouth to form a seal); - Chin strap; - Soft cervical collar; - Tape your lips together; - Get rid of the pillows mask and get a full face mask. |