Question About Central & Obstructive & Sleepyhead?

Still somewhat concerned about the 159 second apnea I posted here earlier, I have been doing a bit of research today?

One opinion I was told is that the 159 was okay because it was obstructive as opposed to central. And that if it was a central apnea that went that long, then I would have good cause to worry.

But looking at the Sleepyhead software, I do not see indication of Central apneas? Is it because I am not having any or because Sleepyhead (or my PRS1) does not record them?

How can I get central info from Sleepyhead? *Blink*

ThomasMcKean wrote:Still somewhat concerned about the 159 second apnea I posted here earlier, I have been doing a bit of research today?

One opinion I was told is that the 159 was okay because it was obstructive as opposed to central. And that if it was a central apnea that went that long, then I would have good cause to worry.

But looking at the Sleepyhead software, I do not see indication of Central apneas? Is it because I am not having any or because Sleepyhead (or my PRS1) does not record them?

How can I get central info from Sleepyhead? *Blink*

I believe "Clear Airway" is how a "Central Apnea" will show up on a PRS1 machine. I think that by some definitions, you can't definitively diagnose a "central apnea" without a chest effort belt or some other sensor the CPAP machine doesn't have, so it says it's a "Clear Airway" event.

The graph you posted earlier shows "clear airway" events.

Remember that SleepyHead is still in alpha test.

archangle wrote:I believe "Clear Airway" is how a "Central Apnea" will show up on a PRS1 machine. I think that by some definitions, you can't definitively diagnose a "central apnea" without a chest effort belt or some other sensor the CPAP machine doesn't have, so it says it's a "Clear Airway" event.

The graph you posted earlier shows "clear airway" events.

Remember that SleepyHead is still in alpha test.

K I have been looking over my data and my number of clear airway seems low, which I guess is good? I tend to have mostly obstructive. But how can PRS1 call these "Clear Airway"? My understanding (and it could be wrong for all I know) is that central means yew stop breathing entirely? Is that incorrect? How can they call that CLEAR AIRWAY?

This is very complicated but I am trying to learn?

ThomasMcKean wrote: K I have been looking over my data and my number of clear airway seems low, which I guess is good? I tend to have mostly obstructive. But how can PRS1 call these "Clear Airway"? My understanding (and it could be wrong for all I know) is that central means yew stop breathing entirely? Is that incorrect? How can they call that CLEAR AIRWAY?

This is very complicated but I am trying to learn?

I think there are competing definitions of the various events from different organizations.

Some definitions score "apneas" based on xx% reduction in airflow, not complete cessation. Some require SPO2 desaturation of x% and/or EEG "arousals" before calling it an "apnea."

CPAP machines don't have the SPO2 or EEG data, so they make their best estimate based on the data they do have and on some machines by sending pressure pulses to the patient. This is part of the reason why some medical professionals denigrate CPAP data. I say that even if a CPAP scored event is not exactly equivalent to a PSG sleep test scored event, it's still very useful information, especially if you look at the associated flow waveform.

I believe the PRS1 sends pressure pulses to try and determine if your airway is open and this is how they distinguish a "clear airway" event from an "obstructive apnea."

Think of it this way.
Obstructive apnea when the airway tissue collapses either completely or partially causing a cessation of breathing or reduction in air flow that meets the requirements to be labeled OA or Hyponea.

Clear airway apneas ( or centrals if someone wants to call it that ) is a cessation of breathing that occurs while the airway is open. No collapse of anything. Just no air movement for a period of time to satisfy definition requirements. It could because we have simply held our breath or more problematic reasons associated with other potential issues.