"Normal" Obstructive Apneas

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Applecheeks
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"Normal" Obstructive Apneas

Post by Applecheeks » Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:49 am

I seem to recall a discussion that some obstructive apneas are considered harmless and perhaps expected.
I've a vague recollection that it had to do with apneas that may be observed immediately after a large breath, or change in body position or something on that order.
Below are two captured OA, should these be considered "true" obstructions or are they voluntary breath holding or something?

pressure, leak and snore graphs are flat

12-23-21 OA-1.jpg
12-23-21 OA-_002.jpg

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Pugsy
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Re: "Normal" Obstructive Apneas

Post by Pugsy » Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:54 am

The big breaths just prior to the flagged event as well as the irregular breathing after the flag would lead me to think that the flagged event was arousal/awake related and not asleep breathing related.
If we aren't asleep...they don't matter except if we see a lot of such stuff it points to poor sleep quality in general for whatever reason...but not necessarily OSA related.

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Applecheeks
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Re: "Normal" Obstructive Apneas

Post by Applecheeks » Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:00 pm

Thanks,
So, "normal" would not be the adjective to use, but questionable to use these as classical events for AHI purposes.
Since we may talking in that realm, hypopneas during that same sleep session appeared like this (again with flatlines in other catogories)

Are these "classic" hypopneas or some other descriptor? (my untrained eye doesn't see much of a significant flow difference immediately before or after the "H" marker)
12-23-21 H.jpg
12-23-21 H_002.jpg

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Pugsy
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Re: "Normal" Obstructive Apneas

Post by Pugsy » Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:14 pm

Anytime I see evidence of arousal breathing prior to any flag and/or along with evidence of arousal breathing after the flag I tend to put those flagged events in the "false positive basket" and shrug my shoulders and move on.
Both those hyponeas look like arousal related irregular breathing because of the obvious big gulps of air right prior to the flag.
If we are asleep we don't do those big gulps.
Asleep breathing is nice and boring and rhythmic and doesn't have those big breaths.

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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
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I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.