Question Regarding Low AHI and CA/OSA

[BigBennyB]

Hi folks,

I was looking over my data in Sleepyhead and noticed something interesting.

In neither of my two sleep studies did I have central apneas, but in SH it shows I am having clear airway apneas, which seem to look legitimate based on the flow on either side of the event.

However, my AHI is consistently under 1. Do I need to even bother caring about it or should I look into it?

[JohnBFisher]

At an AHI off less than one, I would just recommend that you keep an eye on it. Especially if you feel fine. If not talk with your doctor, since not all that might be wrong with your sleep is due to breathing.

[Julie]

If the CA's are few, and mostly around the times you're falling asleep or waking up, I wouldn't worry about them, but if they're in clusters throughout the night then I would look into what's happening (pressure unnecessarily high, other issues?).

[BigBennyB]

I just wanted to provide an update on this.

My AHI has still, consistently, been under 1, but I've woken up gasping for air twice in the past few weeks. It had only happened to me once before in my life, and now it's happened twice in a short period of time. I, instinctively, ripped my mask off as I woke and gasped, even tearing the elbow off my Quattro (thankfully, it snaps out instead of breaking).

I am going to try lowering my pressure from 11-15 to 10-13 (Rx pressure: 11) for a while to see if it happens again and see how my AHI does at those pressures. Do you guys think that will help?

[Julie]

If you're developing new signs of apnea, which your experience suggests, I can't see how lowering your pressures would help.

[BigBennyB]

Well, it's the kind of gasp from a central vs an obstructive

[JohnBFisher]

Well, it's the kind of gasp from a central vs an obstructive

Does the data show that? Do you awaken thinking you need to BREATHE? It's pretty rare for most people to sense a central apnea. I used to awaken realizing that I was NOT breathing and desperately needed to breathe. But my doctor was pretty amazed that I could articulate it .. and the data confirmed that I was awakening after a LONG central apnea. Like I say, most people do can not separate the two sensations (obstructive vs. central). If your data shows central apneas, I would suggest you talk with your sleep doctor about situation. A low AHI may still require intervention if the DURATION of the central apnea is such that it lowers blood oxygen levels too much.