Interesting Observation

Just another bit of proof that your sleep environment impacts your therapy. Mike's AHI has been higher than his usual 0.5-1.5 the last few days and last night it was 3.1 with no problems I was aware of. Today he reluctantly admitted that he's been feeling a bit cold during the night but didn't tell me because I like it cool. So he'll use an extra blanket tonight. What a guy! Does anyone know why being cold would cause more apneas? What exactly was happening?

DoriC wrote:Just another bit of proof that your sleep environment impacts your therapy. Mike's AHI has been higher than his usual 0.5-1.5 the last few days and last night it was 3.1 with no problems I was aware of. Today he reluctantly admitted that he's been feeling a bit cold during the night but didn't tell me because I like it cool. So he'll use an extra blanket tonight. What a guy! Does anyone know why being cold would cause more apneas? What exactly was happening?

Dori,

0.2c input
I see similar here (we are in summer but going through regular cool spells).
I certainly find that feeling cooler means a more fitful / light sleep & have noticed in the past, that the AI & esp HI info tends to be higher.

I put it down to more sleep arousals from the discomfort of feeling cold.

Good luck

DSM

When I get too warm or too cool, I wake up...really annoying, so I keep several lightweight blankets on the bed. I go to sleep with those socks you wear in athletic shoes and push 'em off sometime during the night...warm feet, coolish room are supposed to help you fall asleep faster.

DoriC wrote:Just another bit of proof that your sleep environment impacts your therapy. Mike's AHI has been higher than his usual 0.5-1.5 the last few days and last night it was 3.1 with no problems I was aware of. Today he reluctantly admitted that he's been feeling a bit cold during the night but didn't tell me because I like it cool. So he'll use an extra blanket tonight. What a guy! Does anyone know why being cold would cause more apneas? What exactly was happening?

Hard to say from here - if it's not leaks could it be rainout? Waking him?

I can understand about the restlessness and arousals, so I guess that would also cause more apneas as well? Thanks.

DoriC wrote:I can understand about the restlessness and arousals, so I guess that would also cause more apneas as well? Thanks.

Dori,

Certainly more HIs which is what I think the data showed.

Cheers DSM

DoriC wrote:Just another bit of proof that your sleep environment impacts your therapy. Mike's AHI has been higher than his usual 0.5-1.5 the last few days and last night it was 3.1 with no problems I was aware of. Today he reluctantly admitted that he's been feeling a bit cold during the night but didn't tell me because I like it cool. So he'll use an extra blanket tonight. What a guy! Does anyone know why being cold would cause more apneas? What exactly was happening?

Not a clue. To me, a few more hypopneas may go along with my sleeping more soundly (I have very few apneas....about 6 or less per month). But, finding the right balance of bed coverings at night is important to my over-all sleep quality. For me, being too warm is worse than being too cool (although there's a limit to that end of the spectrum, too).

Could it be something positional? (Like, if his head is closer to his chest and cutting off his airflow.)


Den

Wulfman wrote:Could it be something positional? (Like, if his head is closer to his chest and cutting off his airflow.)

Den

That makes sense...to me, anyway. Tucking the chin down in an attempt to keep warm could narrow the airway, I'd think. Add to that, the possibility of raising the shoulders in a huddling position...possibly even more narrowing.

Yes, the positional thing makes sense to me, he was sort of sleeping with his head down and shoulders hunched up. He wasn't cold last night but his AHI was again 3.0 so we'll be using a new mask tonight, been using the same one since June, kind of stretched out and dull-looking. See if that helps. I hope he doesn't need a pressure adjustment?? BTW, his AIs are always higher than his HIs.

I am dealing with a severely pinched neck (I'm suspecting a herniated cervical disc), so my sleep position is a bit skewed. I have to keep my neck in a different, not necessarily non-neutral, position than usual. My numbers have gone up but only slightly.

AIs have been averaging 0.4 instead of my usual 0.0-0.2.

HIs have been averaging 2.8-3.5 instead of my usual 1.5-2.0.

No huge changes, but changes that I can feel during the day, plus the pain... oh the PAIN! I'm getting a referral to an orthopedist next week. Oy.