AHI

I see alot of talk about this AHI #'s and not sure what it means..only have had cpap x 3 1/2 weeks now. When I send in my data card, will the DME be able to tell me if I"m still having episodes? I also saw where someone questioned being put on cpap for mild sleep apnea. I was told mine was mild (not sure of how many episodes) and that it happens when I'm on my back. But my MD factored in my excessive daytime sleepiness, poor memory, poor concentration, decrease libido, snoring, waking up coughing feeling like I was being choked, weight gain and other symptoms and decided this was the necessary treatment for me. I am glad she did, b/c already I see a difference. When it comes to sleep apnea, I believe you either have it or you don't, shouldn't matter if the numbers are higher for some than others, either way you're feeling like crap. Anyone else with "mild OSA" that feels the same way.

AHI is Apnea/Hypopnea Index. It's the average number of Apneas per hour plus the average number of Hypopneas per hour. Anything 5.0 or under is considered "normal" but obviously, the lower the better!

Not sure how to do the link thing, but if you go the encyclopedia link at the top of the page, there is a good definition and explanation of it in there as well.

If you have a AHI over 5, and you have the symptoms of not being refreshed when you get up, and other ones like you mentioned, it doesn't matter how bad they mark it, it needs to be corrected. Jim

A couple of other important factors are how long the events (apneas or hypopneas) last and how much oxygen desaturation there is with each event. It is the desaturation that causes the poor memory, poor concentration, etc., and can lead to strokes and heart problems if untreated. The number of AHI events I had before treatment was considered mild, severe during REM, but my desaturation could go as low as into the 40s several times a night and stayed pretty much below 80% all night - and that is BAD - and I have to use supplemental oxygen. So, don't be lulled into thinking that mild sleep apnea doesn't adversely affect the body. It may affect people in different ways and to different degrees, but it still should be aggressively treated.

40% O2 sat, OMG...wow, pain.

Thanks Linda...thank goodness I was only dipping in the 80's (still not good, but not 40's) My episodes happened in REM too. Glad to have this outlet of information.

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 daytim 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%