Major Leaks per SleepyHead

[WSHenry]

Hi,

I realize this has been covered before, but does anyone know what the "major leak" criteria is for the PRS1 machines? I realize there isn't a "leak line" as with the ResMed machines. If I have major leaks, they're typically about 3% of the machine "on" time. That means for an 8-hour period, the "major leak" time totals about 15 minutes. My AHI numbers typically stay 0.8 - 2.0, with a mean of about 1.4. Do I need to be concerned? Would anyone recommend further improvement with "major leaks"?

[Sleepster]

You are in large leak 3% of the time. I don't know the threshold leak rate that you're above 3% of the time, but whatever that number is, being above it means the machine can no longer maintain the pressure splint needed to keep your airway from collapsing. That's not good!

If you are sleeping well and feeling good, that's one thing. But of you are sleeping poorly, like me, you want to do everything you can to keep that percent time in large leak at 0%. And even then that may not be enough, because leaks can cause arousals and that interferes with the quality of your sleep.

I recommend you look closely at your leak graph. If you see significant chunks of time where it rises above the baseline it could be due to mouth-leaking. Try a chin strap. If that doesn't work, or even if it does, try a full face mask.

After three years of nasal pillows and a chin strap I switched to a full face mask because of this very problem. I feel much better during the day. I wish I would have made the change a long time ago.

[WSHenry]

Hi,

Am sleeping fine and the O2 level is much better on APAP. Don't seem to be mouth breathing and the snoring, while still present at times, is much less frequent. Here's a screenshot of last night's session.

[Sleepster]

Don't seem to be mouth breathing

The graph indicates a mouth leak. Either that or your mask is a terrible fit.