Diagnosis

[sbeeland711]

I met with the doctor this morning and learned my diagnosis:

AHI = 72
Oxygen saturation of 72%
Rx for CPAP pressure seeting = 13.

I understand that AHI of >30 is considered "severe". What are the ramifications of an AHI of 72?

Steve

[Snoredog]

You are in the severe range, below may help you understand where you are, you SHOULD have gotten a copy of the report that came from the sleep lab, if not, I would pick up the phone and call the doctor's office and have them mail you a copy of it. You are legally entitled to a copy of that report (and you WILL need it in the future especially if you intend on a 2nd opinion).

DEFINITIONS:
APNEA = cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or greater.
HYPOPNEA =>50% decrease in airflow for 10 seconds or greater with a decrease in oxygen saturation of >3%.
APNEA/HYPOPNEA INDEX (AHI) = apnea plus (+) HYPOPNEA/hour of sleep.
RESPIRATORY AROUSAL INDEX (RAI) = AHI +snoring related EEG arousals/hour of sleep.
AHI/RAI** Scale =<5 events /hour = (none); 5-15 events/hour = (mild); 15-30 events/hour = (moderate); >30 events/hour = (severe).
Respiratory related sleep fragmentation: Sleep arousals due to respiratory events or snoring.
Desaturation = Drop in O2 oximetry distribution saturation by 3% below average saturation.
SaO2 scale: >89%=(none); 85-89%=(mild);80-84%=(moderate); <80% (severe).
EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE =<10=(does not indicate EDS (Excessive Daytime Somnolence));10-15=(indicates daytime somnolence-not excessive);>16 (indicates EDS).
RESPIRATORY EFFORT RELATED AROUSALS (RERAs)=Sleep Arousals due to respiratory events characterized by pressure flow limitations in the airflow indicator channel without significant O2 desaturations.
StageIII and StageIV are combined and referred to as Deep Sleep.
Sleep Efficiency = Normal is >80%
As established by AASM/ABSM 1999.

Normal Sleep Architecture:
Stage1: 5%
Stage2: 50%
Stage3: 10%
Stage4: 10%
Stage REM: 25%

[ozij]

Your are getting choked as you sleep at a rate of more that once every minute.

All of your body - brain and all the other organs are getting far far less oxygen than they need - if you were to have oxygenation of 89% when you came into an emergency room, they'ld be giving you extra oxygen.

You are literaly fighting for breath every minute you sleep - you're not getting much sleep because of that.

So:
You don't get the sleep you need
You don't get the oxygen you need
Your blood pressure rises dramatically while you struggle to breathe
Your body misunderstands the lack energy and send you searching for more energy in food - especially sweet food

If you don't treat your OSA you're a good candidate for having a heart attack, chronically high BP, traffic accidents, congestive heart failure, Gastric Esophagal Reflux Disease, depression, and a stroke too.

Welcome to the forum - you can be very very glad your OSA was diagnosed. And we'll do our best to help you make your therapy a success.

Meanwhile, here's a movie (turn on you louspeakers) that will help you undestand some of what's going on when you're struggling to breathe instead of sleeping deeply...

"Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing"

O.

[admiralross]

"Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing"

Great Link!

[DreamStalker]

I met with the doctor this morning and learned my diagnosis:

AHI = 72
Oxygen saturation of 72%
Rx for CPAP pressure seeting = 13.

I understand that AHI of >30 is considered "severe". What are the ramifications of an AHI of 72?

Steve

Well the ramifications are not cheery but no need to make funeral arrangements right away unless you don't plan to treat your condition.

I was diagnosed with AHI of 102 w/ O2 sats of 60% ... probably been struggling to stay alive in that condition for several years before being diagnosed. Lucky me, I did get diagnosed and then found this forum and been living it up ever since.

Best o luck for a quick recovery!