Flow Limitation

Ok folks, I'm gonna show my ignorance! Just what is flow limitation and what does it mean to me? I ask my DME and she said she does not have a clue. The information prints out on the RemStar Auto software and I would like to know what it means.

Thanks
Gilda

Flow limitation = increased breathing effort. Respironics and Puritan Bennett APAP's determine it by how flat the top of your breathing inspiratory curves are. Flow limitations often precede snoring, apneas, and hypopneas, so most modern APAP algorithms use it as a triggering mechanism to raise the pressure in an effort to prevent/minimize those.


-John