More questions of SH data

I am finding SleepyHead to be a wealth of data; the concerns I come away with are that, while I recognize what the data is measuring, I am not quite able to focus on the implications for my practices and behaviors. The area I most have difficulty with is the Large Leak measurement; since I rarely awaken to lucidity during an episode of an LL, I can't identify the source of the leak. My logic says it's often likely an open mouth, but I can't confirm that. I realize it is unlikely there are clues in the data that will help me with this, but I am asking those who know more than I, are there clues to the source and duration of an LL event when seen with other contemporaneous events?

JimW159 wrote:I am finding SleepyHead to be a wealth of data; the concerns I come away with are that, while I recognize what the data is measuring, I am not quite able to focus on the implications for my practices and behaviors. The area I most have difficulty with is the Large Leak measurement; since I rarely awaken to lucidity during an episode of an LL, I can't identify the source of the leak. My logic says it's often likely an open mouth, but I can't confirm that. I realize it is unlikely there are clues in the data that will help me with this, but I am asking those who know more than I, are there clues to the source and duration of an LL event when seen with other contemporaneous events?

I don't know if I've ever awakened while in a large leak, either. They start abruptly and end abruptly.......and sometimes have gone on for up to 45 minutes.
But, I wear a full face mask, so I know it's from the mask getting out of alignment.

But, since you're using a nasal mask, you have a couple of options.......tape your mouth shut (3M easy-release painter's tape) or get a full face mask.
If you ever wake up with a dry mouth, that would be a clue that it's leaking out your mouth.
If, after taping your mouth, the large leaks go away, you've narrowed down your list of "usual suspects".


Den

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JimW159 wrote:I am finding SleepyHead to be a wealth of data; the concerns I come away with are that, while I recognize what the data is measuring, I am not quite able to focus on the implications for my practices and behaviors. The area I most have difficulty with is the Large Leak measurement; since I rarely awaken to lucidity during an episode of an LL, I can't identify the source of the leak. My logic says it's often likely an open mouth, but I can't confirm that. I realize it is unlikely there are clues in the data that will help me with this, but I am asking those who know more than I, are there clues to the source and duration of an LL event when seen with other contemporaneous events?

look for waveforms as reported in this thread for evidence of mouthbreathing:
viewtopic/t112758/Flow-Examples-of-Mout ... -Mask.html

Wulfman... wrote:
I don't know if I've ever awakened while in a large leak, either. They start abruptly and end abruptly.......and sometimes have gone on for up to 45 minutes.
But, I wear a full face mask, so I know it's from the mask getting out of alignment.
But, since you're using a nasal mask, you have a couple of options.......tape your mouth shut (3M easy-release painter's tape) or get a full face mask.
If you ever wake up with a dry mouth, that would be a clue that it's leaking out your mouth.
If, after taping your mouth, the large leaks go away, you've narrowed down your list of "usual suspects".

I, too, have taped my mouth but was always met with irritated skin from the adhesive. I tried hypoallergenic medical tape with no joy. I also used to wear a chin strap but gave that up when the mouth breathing seemed to diminish. I have decided to try the strap again to see what happens. The minimalist nature of the nasal pillows appeals to me a lot - ironically, I may have to clutter it up with a chin strap to get it to work better. Oh, well, I was always told I was a stimulus junkie - how boring life would be without obstacles to overcome.

palerider wrote:

JimW159 wrote:I am finding SleepyHead to be a wealth of data; the concerns I come away with are that, while I recognize what the data is measuring, I am not quite able to focus on the implications for my practices and behaviors. The area I most have difficulty with is the Large Leak measurement; since I rarely awaken to lucidity during an episode of an LL, I can't identify the source of the leak. My logic says it's often likely an open mouth, but I can't confirm that. I realize it is unlikely there are clues in the data that will help me with this, but I am asking those who know more than I, are there clues to the source and duration of an LL event when seen with other contemporaneous events?

look for waveforms as reported in this thread for evidence of mouthbreathing:
viewtopic/t112758/Flow-Examples-of-Mout ... -Mask.html

In addition to the flattened expiatory portion of the waveform, look for a plateau shaped leak line which usually rises sharply at the leading edge, is flat topped, and falls sharply at the trailing edge. That's the characteristic shape of a mouth leak, but of course, not absolutely definitive. I've also found that mouth leaks can vary from insignificant to large leak territory. I think most of my large leaks with a nasal mask, especially the Dreamwear come from the mask being pushed out of position.

Here's some classic mouth leaks: