Talk:Apnea hypopnea index (AHI)
Does the AHI is really evaluate the degree of oxygen desaturation?
I don't think so, Sleepster. You'd need a pulse oximeter for that, I would think. Of course, low blood oxygen levels do affect AHI, but AHI is simply a measure of apneas and hypopneas as you stated on the wiki page... it's not a measure of O2 desaturation. --SuperSleeper 17:19, 28 January 2012 (UTC)
So, should any reference to oxygen level be removed from the wiki page on AHI? --Sleepster 03:39, 1 February 2012 (UTC)
I do know that people with high AHI usually have low O2 levels, but AHI is not the cause, it's simply a measurement of apneas and hypopneas, which are the actually cause of low O2 levels.. do you think we need to mention O2 desats in the AHI entry? --SuperSleeper 04:25, 1 February 2012 (UTC)
I don't know. Why the 10-second rule? Why do events have to last 10 seconds to score in the AHI? Is it because it takes 10 seconds to significantly lower O2 levels, or does it take 10 seconds to cause an arousal. Oxygen deprivation and arousals are the two dangers of the malady, right? Oxygen deprivation causes problems with the health of the human body, arousals prevent us from getting the deep sleep we need to be healthy and happy. --Sleepster 02:13, 2 February 2012 (UTC)
Yes, for most data-capable CPAPs, the algorithms require an apnea or hypopnea event to last for a minimum of 10 seconds before it is recorded. That's because normal breathing can have up to 10 second pauses during the night. Any cessation of breathing or shallow breathing for longer than 10 seconds is recorded in the data. As to how they came up with the 10 second rule, I have no clear idea, other than that is the threshold manufacturers decided upon for scoring AHI, mostly likely based on scientific research. Apneas and hypopneas don't necessarily result in a lower blood oxygen levels. Yes, I think you're correct on the two dangers: low O2 and arousals. --SuperSleeper 02:29, 2 February 2012 (UTC)
Good edit, Sleepster. One thing, is I removed your signature line. Signatures are supposed to be used for Talk Pages or Discussion pages, but not on the article pages themselves, as per Wiki Guidelines. Thanks. --SuperSleeper 05:05, 2 February 2012 (UTC)
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