meaning of AHI for a lay person
meaning of AHI for a lay person
Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine? If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher? With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?
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Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
AHI is the number of apneas and hypopneas detected by the machine (or by the sleep analysis if you were in a study and not on a machine) divided by the number of hours of sleep.
If you are on cpap, these are despite the pressure of the cpap. So your AHI would probably be higher if not on CPAP unless you have pressure-induced centrals.
Yes, some people get to 0. I'm still trying to get there.
If you are on cpap, these are despite the pressure of the cpap. So your AHI would probably be higher if not on CPAP unless you have pressure-induced centrals.
Yes, some people get to 0. I'm still trying to get there.
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- BleepingBeauty
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Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Yes, most likely yes, and possibly. AHI is your average (per hour) apnea-hypopnea index. An AHI under 5.0 indicates effectively treated OSA.Cosette wrote:Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine? If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher? With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?
Hope that helps.
Veni, vidi, Velcro. I came, I saw, I stuck around.
Dx 11/07: AHI 107, central apnea, Cheyne Stokes respiration, moderate-severe O2 desats. (Simple OSA would be too easy. )
PR S1 ASV 950, DreamWear mask, F&P 150 humidifier, O2 @ 2L.
Dx 11/07: AHI 107, central apnea, Cheyne Stokes respiration, moderate-severe O2 desats. (Simple OSA would be too easy. )
PR S1 ASV 950, DreamWear mask, F&P 150 humidifier, O2 @ 2L.
- billbolton
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Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
There is a LOT of good information in the CPAPtalk wiki, and it should be the first place you check for information.Cosette wrote:Does the AHI indicate......
See here.... wiki/index.php/Apnea_Hypopnea_Index
Cheers,
Bill
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Yes it is a combination of apneas and hypopneas per hour. Usually associated with a reduced blood oxygen level - which is what does the damage beginning with impacting out thinking process.Cosette wrote:Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine?
For Acronyms & Definitions
http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html
Very likely YES.Cosette wrote:If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher?
It could, Yes. Doesn't mean it will. Elimininating your leaks is key to reducing your sleep events. You need to start reading and educating yourself.Cosette wrote:With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?
Watching this will help -
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing
http://www.resmed.com/us/multimedia/und ... 40x380.swf
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/ ... -2/742141/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T75s2RBQhSM&NR=1
Reading this will help -
viewtopic/t34872/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... ie#p278441
This is the Yellow Lite bulb you'll hear people mention aka "Our Collective Wisdom" - our-collective-cpap-wisdom.php Now a Wiki section.
Read some more.
Good Luck
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Last edited by GumbyCT on Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BeganCPAP31Jan2007;AHI<0.5
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
My leak number is consistantly 0.
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Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: nasel pillows SwiftLT, no software, machine is REMstar auto A-Flex, Respironics system one heated humidifier |
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Why of course - You have the software to check your data?Cosette wrote:My leak number is consistantly 0.
_________________
Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
Additional Comments: New users can't remember they can't remember YET! |
BeganCPAP31Jan2007;AHI<0.5
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
I do read a lot, Gumby, but sometimes I get so tired I just like a few words of plain English to confirm what I'm thinking. Thanks for all the links.
_________________
Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: nasel pillows SwiftLT, no software, machine is REMstar auto A-Flex, Respironics system one heated humidifier |
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
I have no software, I just read my machine daily. I have no way of getting my Smart Card read.
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Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: nasel pillows SwiftLT, no software, machine is REMstar auto A-Flex, Respironics system one heated humidifier |
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Sorry if "I" gave you info overload.Cosette wrote:I do read a lot, Gumby, but sometimes I get so tired I just like a few words of plain English to confirm what I'm thinking. Thanks for all the links.
It is the only effective way I know to help yourself. I would say your therapy is NOT effective at this point
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Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
Additional Comments: New users can't remember they can't remember YET! |
BeganCPAP31Jan2007;AHI<0.5
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Why would you say my therapy is "not effective at this point"? Just because I don't understand what all the information means?
_________________
Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: nasel pillows SwiftLT, no software, machine is REMstar auto A-Flex, Respironics system one heated humidifier |
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
I've never heard of any other person just starting cpap, having totally effective treatment without some adjustments and tweaking. If it's you, congratulations--you better go buy a lottery ticket!
Having zero leaks is excellent, but it's only a little part of the story......you really need to investigate your ai/ahi.........in ResMed, the machine reports mean, the software median or vice versa........again, while the lcd screen is a start, you only have a tiny bit of information on your treatment.
Your dme can download your information--by going in or sending the smart card in, or you can obtain the software and card reader and do it yourself..........
While the lcd screen tells you a bit, how you feel each day is also important.
Having zero leaks is excellent, but it's only a little part of the story......you really need to investigate your ai/ahi.........in ResMed, the machine reports mean, the software median or vice versa........again, while the lcd screen is a start, you only have a tiny bit of information on your treatment.
Your dme can download your information--by going in or sending the smart card in, or you can obtain the software and card reader and do it yourself..........
While the lcd screen tells you a bit, how you feel each day is also important.
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Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
Yup. Some of these might be perfectly normal! For example, it's normal to have a central apnea when falling asleep. Some hold their breath when they turn over and that is registered by our xPAPs as an apnea.Cosette wrote:Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine?
YupCosette wrote:If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher?
I sometimes get an AHI=0, not often (see previous answer) but now and thenCosette wrote:With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?
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Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
DCosette wrote:Why would you say my therapy is "not effective at this point"? Just because I don't understand what all the information means?
Since your profile isn't filled out -- what machine are you using that you can tell that you have 0 leak?
I know when using my M series apap I consistently have >1 AHI but since switching to a Resmed Vantage apap my AHI has been running between 2 and 3.
Start Date: 8/30/2007 Pressure 9 - 15
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
Re: meaning of AHI for a lay person
After using my new machine for 12 days, the screen says I have 2% leak for 7 days and 1% leak for 12 days.
The AHI gives only the total readings, not broken down by A and H. I read around 3.
I appreciate the useful information I have received. Saying my "Therapy is NOT working" without giving any reasons and sending some ridiculous links to read and view are not helpful for a new user who is trying to get answers.
The AHI gives only the total readings, not broken down by A and H. I read around 3.
I appreciate the useful information I have received. Saying my "Therapy is NOT working" without giving any reasons and sending some ridiculous links to read and view are not helpful for a new user who is trying to get answers.
_________________
Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: nasel pillows SwiftLT, no software, machine is REMstar auto A-Flex, Respironics system one heated humidifier |
Last edited by Cosette on Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.