Some definitions would be helpful

[John_Jason]

SleepyHead does a good job of displaying the data, and it would be even better if I understood what I am looking at. I have read all the posts and pages about SleepyHead, but I still need some definitions. I don't mean just what the abbreviation means, I mean what the terms mean and their importance, i.e., why I should care. For example:

RERA Index
Flow limit index
95% pressure
95% leaks
Flow rate
Flow limitation
Pressure pulse
Respiratory effort relate arousal
Vibratory snore and vibratory snore #2 (and how does the machine know if I am snoring? Microphone?
Minute vent.
PB, H, FL, RE on the Event Flags graph

Thanks in advance if anyone knows the answers and can post an explanation.

[Pugsy]

Have you read here.http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/s ... r_Glossary

Indexes....are usually hourly averages for whatever unit is being counted.

90% or 95% numbers that for 90/95 % of the night the unit being counted is either AT or below that number. Usually leaks or pressures are reported by this % number along with averages and maximums.
If is related to pressure..that might be a starting point if someone was thinking about doing straight cpap and it might give a good starting point or if using APAP...a good minimum to be close to.

Minute ventilation definition is in the glossary..for normal expected range of normal....it is so varied just look up the term on the internet Wiki.

It is easier if you have a report figure in question if you can post the report and tell us what you do know and then ask for clarification on the things you don't understand..like the hows and whys.

[John_Jason]

Have you read here.http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/s ... r_Glossary

Yes, I have read that page. But here is an example of why it does not help:

"Flow Limitation Index: Changes in flow limitation are recorded as events. The Flow Limitation Index is calculated by the total number of flow limitation events per night divided by the hours of use. Note: The average is calculated by taking the total number of events divided by the number of therapy days. This can be used to indicate if there has been a significant degradation in the flow signal, resulting in a pressure increase. This value is only reported on auto pressure machines."

But I don't understand what "flow limitation" means. Why would there be any flow limitation? The tube does not contract during the night, does it? Or does it mean I was maybe lying on top of it and crushed it? Or if it means my pharynx was constricted so the flow was limited, how is that different from an apnea or hypopnea event? And is the index important? If so, why, and how important?

The problem is that the writers of the definitions assumed I knew as much as they did about the terminology. I guess I need a dummies guide.

[Guest]

Ever heard of "Google"?
Go to Google and search on "Flow Limitation" and "Flow Limitation definition" and start reading.

Basically, it's:

Flow Limitation – the partial closure of the upper airway impeding the flow of air into the lungs.

You can also go up to the Search line above and put in "Flow Limitation" and start reading the hundreds of pages of discussions about it.


.

[John_Jason]

Ever heard of "Google"?
Go to Google and search on "Flow Limitation" and "Flow Limitation definition" and start reading.
Basically, it's:
Flow Limitation – the partial closure of the upper airway impeding the flow of air into the lungs.
You can also go up to the Search line above and put in "Flow Limitation" and start reading the hundreds of pages of discussions about it..

I already tried Google without finding a page that explained whether it was important or not or why it might be important. And the Sourceforge search is broken. But after posting this I'll just delete my profile here so I won't be a further bother.

[Goofproof]

We cant read it for you. Jim

[sickwithapnea17]

is resscan a better program to analyze your card? I'm surprised how jagged my ipap graph looks on sleepyhead, going pretty high at some points... I guess this means I''m pretty messed up

[Pugsy]

But I don't understand what "flow limitation" means. Why would there be any flow limitation? The tube does not contract during the night, does it? Or does it mean I was maybe lying on top of it and crushed it? Or if it means my pharynx was constricted so the flow was limited, how is that different from an apnea or hypopnea event? And is the index important? If so, why, and how important?

The problem is that the writers of the definitions assumed I knew as much as they did about the terminology. I guess I need a dummies guide.

Flow limitation definition was right above the Flow Limitation Index in the SH Glossary.
The definitions in the Glossary were all taken from the various cpap machines software glossary with the bulk being taken from Respironics Software because their glossary is the largest. If you don't like the level of explanation available.....I am so sorry it doesn't suit your needs. We worked with what we had available.

Your questions as to the level of flow limitations and tube size and whatever.....those are questions that would be best addressed by your physician. You are wanting to go a whole lot deeper into all this than the software definitions offer. If you had been more specific with your question about FLow limitations (like I suggested) instead of getting all snotty about it....someone would probably have tried to explain things better for you.

[Guest]

Ever heard of "Google"?
Go to Google and search on "Flow Limitation" and "Flow Limitation definition" and start reading.
Basically, it's:
Flow Limitation – the partial closure of the upper airway impeding the flow of air into the lungs.
You can also go up to the Search line above and put in "Flow Limitation" and start reading the hundreds of pages of discussions about it..

I already tried Google without finding a page that explained whether it was important or not or why it might be important. And the Sourceforge search is broken. But after posting this I'll just delete my profile here so I won't be a further bother.

Oh, baby, baby...... It's time to put on your big boy pants.

The Sourceforge link works perfectly. I just clicked on the link Pugsy gave you.

"Flow Limitations" are not THAT "important" in the whole scheme of XPAP therapy, as they are NOT part of AHI.

HOWEVER, virtually every APAP machine algorithm uses the detection of Flow Limitations and Snoring to trigger pressure increases.
So, if you have lots of flow limitations and your APAP minimum pressure is too low, you're going to get lots of pressure bumps, which can possibly wreck your sleep by jolting you out of the much-needed deep sleep and REM stages. Consequently, you could be on therapy for a long time and never feel "rested".

.

[chunkyfrog]

Keep breathing, with added oxygen, your comprehension will increase.
I used to read and re-read whole pages--just because my brain was so foggy,
I couldn't remember and then understand what I had read. PAP has helped that--a lot.
Be patient, and keep reading. Take notes, draw diagrams--I did.
It will get better; or you'll find definitions written clearly enough.
They are there. I find you have to shovel through a lot of rocks before you hit gold.