Oracle oral mask and Hypopneas?

[steve215]

Hello!

I read the oracle oral mask will not work for someone who has hypopneas..Is this true?

[JDS74]

Hi Steve

Not true. In that regard the Oracle mask is just like any other CPAP Mask.

Hypopneas are just a shallower breath where an apnea is a stoppage in breathing either because of the airway closing, obstructive apnea, or the brain not signalling for a breath, central apnea.

I have both types so my breathing disorder is called complex sleep apnea rather than obstructive sleep apnea like most apnea sufferers.

Treatment for both types requires an ASV type of machine which I don't have yet. I'm waiting on getting another sleep study to see if switching will help.

[avi123]

Hello!

I read the oracle oral mask will not work for someone who has hypopneas..Is this true?

Question,

Where did you read it and what it says the reasons for it?

[steve215]

A user from another forum..not that reliable I guess but just wanted to make sure. He/She said the oracle mask can not be used if a person has hypopneas because they need to breathe out of their nose...


Also James,

I have apneas and hypopneas but was diagnosed with OSA. So should I really be considered complex sleep apnea?

Steve

Hello!

I read the oracle oral mask will not work for someone who has hypopneas..Is this true?

Question,

Where did you read it and what it says the reasons for it?

[JDS74]

Steve,

No, you are still considered as an obstructive apnea patient.

To get classified as a complex apnea patient you also need to experience central apneas. These are ones that occur and you make no effort to breathe.

So far this month, I've had several in the 40-65 second range and lots and lots in the 10-20 second range.
That's why I'm going to ask for another sleep study to see if a different type of machine will help.

CPAP machines help both apneas and hypopneas but don't help central apneas.

Hope this helps.

James

[avi123]

With the Oracle mask you inhale and exhale thru the mouth b/c the nose is blocked with the provided nostrils plugs.

[zoocrewphoto]

A user from another forum..not that reliable I guess but just wanted to make sure. He/She said the oracle mask can not be used if a person has hypopneas because they need to breathe out of their nose...

The person must be confused. Hypopneas are partial blockages that cause a reduction of oxygen and/or arousals in the sleep. They can be just as dangerous as full apneas, but they are really pretty much the same thing - a blockage in the airway. It has nothing to do with breathing through your mouth of nose.

I don't breathe through my nose when I am lying down. I use a full face mask most of the time. I have gotten the oracle, and I have slept with it some short times. I can do it without the nasal plugs, and there is no air coming out of my nose. My ahi is great. And I feel better and have a noticeable reduction of symptoms.

The differences in masks are due to comfort. Facial structures and how we breathe. As long as the machine is the right type and set to the right settings for the particular person, it makes no difference which mask is used (as long as it fits well and doesn't have bad leaks).