[CPAP] central versus obstructive

[schuss]

Hello,
Can you give me references to articles explaining if there is a relationship between the decrease of obstructive apneas by CPAP and the increase of central apneas.
Thanks for your replies

[Sleeprider]

Patients with complex sleep apnea exhibit OSA, but upon application of positive airway pressure, the patient exhibits persistent central sleep apnea. This central apnea is most commonly noted while on CPAP therapy, after the obstructive component has been eliminated. This has long been seen in sleep laboratories…
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2576323/

Schuss, if you are experiencing centrals upon application of CPAP, this is not unusual, and it is often not a problem, depending on the severity of the problem. It is common to see some centrals emerge in new users of CPAP, and also that those centrals will decrease over time. We can often reduce them by reducing the exhale pressure relief (EPR) on machines like yours, or making changes in the pressure settings. Good luck, and if you have a question you are dealing with personally, don't hesitate to ask.

[trish6hundred]

Hi schuss,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with your CPAP therapy, hang in there for more responses to your post.

[Beej]

For the obstructive component, test how you do sleeping on your side vs sleeping on your back. Many find that sleeping on the back increases obstructive apneas, while sleeping on the side may keep them lower. (dropped my AHI to below 3.0), and it was climbing over 5 whenever it could)

If side sleeping isn't your usual position, a bolstering pillow or wedge may help.