Coughing & AHI #'s

How much does coughing (while wearing the mask) affect your AHI numbers?

I have COPD and do a considerable amount of coughing. While I'm awake with the (nasal) mask on, I've taught myself to cough through my mouth, and to "close off" my nose competely. (harder than it sounds ) With no air either coming or going from my nose, does my machine register this as an AI/HI?

I've noticed that on nights where I was more congested than usual, my numbers were slightly higher overall. I have no idea if my COPD was responsable or my OSA just happened to be worse those nights.

Any thoughts?????

I have asthma (coughing type), sinus problems and according to my ENT, Eustachian tube dysfunction. Whenever you hold your breath your machine will register a hypopnea or an apnea depending on how long you hold your breath. (I've tried this while awake and then looked at the results using ResScan.)

I use a nasal mask and tape my mouth, and I cough while wearing the tape. I haven't noticed whether I hold my breath or not while coughing, though I suppose I do. (I can't imagine breathing in through my nose while coughing out my mouth.) My AHI is never less than 5.0, and lately it's been in the 12 - 14 range. I've noticed that my numbers are higher if I turn off EPR (ususally use it at 1). I've wondered how much my asthma/sinus problems contribute to the high AHI. I'll be asking my doc this when I see him on the 27th.

Komodo wrote:How much does coughing (while wearing the mask) affect your AHI numbers?

I have COPD and do a considerable amount of coughing. While I'm awake with the (nasal) mask on, I've taught myself to cough through my mouth, and to "close off" my nose competely. (harder than it sounds ) With no air either coming or going from my nose, does my machine register this as an AI/HI?

I've noticed that on nights where I was more congested than usual, my numbers were slightly higher overall. I have no idea if my COPD was responsable or my OSA just happened to be worse those nights.

Any thoughts?????

I agree that coughing *will* skew AI count.

Over the years I have noticed this effect & in many cases can view an AI event & know it was caused by
1) A belch or burp (minor aerophagia)
2) A coughing fit


When you track an event like this you can (in ResScan on Resmed machines) analyse a single event (spread 10 mins across the bottom half of the data display) and if the pressure is in the range of 12+ CMs then you can fairly reliably say your airway was open & the event recorded was one of the above. This is of course aligned with knowing you are doing the 1 & 2 above at the time.

Cheers

DSM