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Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - Printable Version

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Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - Realtor 1 - 10-15-2013

Still fairly new to the Forum & the software.

I am attaching the sleepyheads report from last night

I see the total Leaks going as high as 62(In fact I have noticed them to be pretty consistent from day one). Is it too high. Can anyone help me in understanding how the leaks work.

Thanks.




[SleepyHead report removed per poster request]

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - PaulaO2 - 10-15-2013

Yes, that is way high. From the length of them, I'd say you were opening your mouth while sleeping. Or the mask is coming off.

Each mask has a different intentional leak rate. You can usually find that on the manufacturer's web site. An intentional leak is what normally happens through the venting.

Unintentional leak rate is what is above that number. So if a mask's intentional leak rate is 27, anything over that is not good.

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - Realtor 1 - 10-15-2013

(10-15-2013, 01:45 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: Yes, that is way high. From the length of them, I'd say you were opening your mouth while sleeping. Or the mask is coming off.

Each mask has a different intentional leak rate. You can usually find that on the manufacturer's web site. An intentional leak is what normally happens through the venting.

Unintentional leak rate is what is above that number. So if a mask's intentional leak rate is 27, anything over that is not good.
Thanks. I do wake up many times during the night with extreme dry mouth & choking feeling. I believe that it is because of my mouth opening.

I should be trying the Chin Strap as I do not like the full face masks.


RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - mdh235 - 10-15-2013

You might want to edit your PDF file to remove your personal information.

Or maybe not. It's up to you.

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - me50 - 10-15-2013

(10-15-2013, 01:33 PM)Realtor 1 Wrote: Still fairly new to the Forum & the software.

I am attaching the sleepyheads report from last night

I see the total Leaks going as high as 62(In fact I have noticed them to be pretty consistent from day one). Is it too high. Can anyone help me in understanding how the leaks work.

Thanks.

I was told today by the DME that with a ffm opening my mouth wouldn't affect leaks. How true that is, I have no clue. will research when I get the chance. With your attachment, I can't tell the median, maximum, 95% but I just glanced at it. Will look at it more later.

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - PaulaO2 - 10-15-2013

There's a lot of different chin straps out there. You can try to make your own to see if one would work. Take an ace bandage and wrap it from your chin to the top of your head and back again. You want it tight enough that when you relax, your mouth does not fall open, but not so tight you cannot chew (with some effort). Putting it on top the mask will also help hold it on. Do this for a few nights to see if the leaks improve. If it does, then you can invest in a real chin strap that would be more comfortable and safer.

Quote:I was told today by the DME that with a ffm opening my mouth wouldn't affect leaks.
Yes, that is the job of a FFM. It is covering the mouth. If the mouth opens, there's no leak since it is still within the atmosphere of the mask.

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - Sleepster - 10-17-2013

Keeping your nasal mask and adding a chinstrap should be tried before switching to a full face mask or hybrid mask. If the chinstrap keeps your mouth from falling open, and that stops the mouth-leaking like it does for lots of us, then you'll have less chance for a leak than you would with a ffm or hybrid. And you're more comfortable especially if you are a side or stomach sleeper like me.

I would hate it if I had to give up my nasal pillows because of mouth-leaking.


RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - zonk - 10-22-2013

Hi Realtor 1
Unlike F&P ... ResMed tell us that unintentional leak above 24 L/m can affect the accuracy of data and sleep quality
your machine F&P Premo is fixed pressure machine, pressure set at 8, Escape CPAP air thru mask or/and mouth (instead of keeping airways open) would reduce the effectiveness of the treatment
Some like SensAwake but others find it annoying as pressure drop when machine sense you,re awake
Have you tried saline nasal/sinus rinse, I use Nelimed or Flo (Aussie brand). Do you have Thermosmart, provide better humidity and reduce rainout
Its essential to keep mouth closed using nasal/pillows masks, chinstrap can help keep mouth closed and minimize mouth leaks also full face mask is worth consider as allows you to breath thru nose or mouth






RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - me50 - 10-22-2013

(10-22-2013, 04:34 PM)zonk Wrote: Hi Realtor 1
Unlike F&P ... ResMed tell us that unintentional leak above 24 L/m can affect the accuracy of data and sleep quality
your machine F&P Premo is fixed pressure machine, pressure set at 8, Escape CPAP air thru mask or/and mouth (instead of keeping airways open) would reduce the effectiveness of the treatment
Some like SensAwake but others find it annoying as pressure drop when machine sense you,re awake
Have you tried saline nasal/sinus rinse, I use Nelimed or Flo (Aussie brand). Do you have Thermosmart, provide better humidity and reduce rainout
Its essential to keep mouth closed using nasal/pillows masks, chinstrap can help keep mouth closed and minimize mouth leaks also full face mask is worth consider as allows you to breath thru nose or mouth

how important is the maximum if your median and 95% is within normal range?

RE: Help in understanding AHI & Leak Rates. - bwexler - 10-22-2013

I have found with some full face masks when I open my mouth ( yawn) I move the mask enough to cause leaks and may need to adjust the mask after I close my mouth. The bottom of one mask would wind up in my mouth, like a bit in a houses mouth.
I am also a side sleeper and do not like most FFMs I have tried.