Question 1

can a sleep physician explain why an apnea hypopnea index less than 5 per hour is considered normal? for example if someone stops breathing 4 times per hour during sleep how is that normal, doesn't the oxygen drop during those episodes?

Accepted Answer

: It may or may not result in hypoxia depending on how long it was.  Discuss with the sleep Dr. I personally had 100 per hour and a real problem. But sounds like you may not have it.  Beats needing a CPAP every night.

Question 2

what does an apnea/hypopnea index of 1.9 mean?

Accepted Answer

AHI: Apnea hypopnea index is the number of episodes per hour that the breathing either stops or is shallow enough to cause a drop in oxygen saturation and an arousal from sleep. AHI numbers under 5 are fairly normal as most of these episodes are very brief and not remembered by a patient. Most patients with an AHI over 10 will benefit from treatment of sleep apnea.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: apnea-hypopnea index?

Accepted Answer

AHI: Apnea-hyponea index is a measure of sleep disruption due to some form of breathing problems. This data is from a sleep study typically performed in a sleep lab.  In general an ahi of 15 means you have sleep apnea where you stop breathing for a given time period or you have very shallow breathing 15 times each hour. Instead of sleeping, you are waking up 15 times each hour in order to breathe again.

Question 4

i have apnea-hypopnea index of about 32, is this considered bad?

Accepted Answer

Very bad: You want a "sleep machine".

No doubt about it.

Question 5

what is a good apnea-hypopnea index number to aim for while using a cpap?

Accepted Answer

5: You want it to be normal, which is less than 5.

Question 6

what is a good apnea-hypopnea index using a cpap?

Accepted Answer

0 to 5: A normal level of 0 to 5 is ideal.

Question 7

apnea-hypopnea index,  how bad an index must one have to have to go on cpap?

Accepted Answer

How tired are you?: Generally speaking 10 may be the cut off but if you are having excessive daytime fatigue CPAP therapy would be of great benefit for your quality of life.

Question 8

apnea hypopnea index is 23 on bipap machine. i have mostly central brain apneas.i aalso have obstructive apnea and hypopnea?

Accepted Answer

Incomplete Treatment: Looks like you have both central and obstructive events and bipap (not sure why given, unless i know more about the report or study) is eliminating some and not all. If central apneas are in majority, you may need a specific machine like vpap or auto servo. Are you on a lot of opiates or worse still, street drugs? If so cutting them off, would make you better.

Question 9

can chronic rhinitis cause mild sleep apnea? my apnea hypopnea index is 8, and both nostrils are always at least partially blocked due to deviated septum. what can i use on a regular basis to clear my nasal airflow?

Accepted Answer

: Keeping the nasal passages clear with nasal saline and avoiding allergic triggers such as dust is recommended. Avoid smoke and the condition may be associated with disrupted breathing during sleep.,

Question 10

can sleep apnea or hypopnea events under 5 per hour (which is scientifically considered normal but you still stop breathing for 10 seconds or more causing an oxygen dip) cause or aggravate hypertension?

Accepted Answer

: If study result does not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of sleep apnea, other finding less likely has significant deleterious effect.

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Doctor answers about:

Apnea hypopnea index normal range

A member asked:

Can a sleep physician explain why an apnea hypopnea index less than 5 per hour is considered normal? for example if someone stops breathing 4 times per hour during sleep how is that normal, doesn't the oxygen drop during those episodes?

A member asked:

What does an apnea/hypopnea index of 1.9 mean?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: apnea-hypopnea index?

A member asked:

I have apnea-hypopnea index of about 32, is this considered bad?

A member asked:

What is a good apnea-hypopnea index number to aim for while using a cpap?

A member asked:

What is a good apnea-hypopnea index using a cpap?

A member asked:

Apnea-hypopnea index, how bad an index must one have to have to go on cpap?

A member asked:

Apnea hypopnea index is 23 on bipap machine. i have mostly central brain apneas.i aalso have obstructive apnea and hypopnea?

A member asked:

Can chronic rhinitis cause mild sleep apnea? my apnea hypopnea index is 8, and both nostrils are always at least partially blocked due to deviated septum. what can i use on a regular basis to clear my nasal airflow?

A member asked:

Can sleep apnea or hypopnea events under 5 per hour (which is scientifically considered normal but you still stop breathing for 10 seconds or more causing an oxygen dip) cause or aggravate hypertension?

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