Hypopneas or Central Apneas preferable?

[zzzZorro]

[ResMed Vauto 25/16 PS-1.8]

I have discovered that changing the TRIGGER to High from Normal will substantially reduce CAs, slightly increase OAs and Hypopneas will increase dramatically.

Changing Humidity to 5 from 4 (to help reduce sticky phlegm) will usually  increase all events.

PROBABLY just phenomena related only to me but that is what is happening.  So, in my mind, a bunch of Hypopneas is the  lesser evil than Central Apneas 'cause the brain controls CAs, and you're 'sorta breathing with Hypopneas -Right?

[jaswilliams]

Hypopnoeas can be central in nature ie a reduced flow by not breathing rather than reduced flow by obstruction however the Resmed machines don’t differentiate between the two. The idea is to reduce all events as much as possible and then strive for comfort, with an AHI of less than 2

[sheepless]

as a practical matter jas is right. otoh, I agree with the general proposition that hypopnea is preferable to apnea independent of whether any of it is obstructive or central because hypopnea doesn't inhibit air flow to the same degree as apnea.

[SarcasticDave94]

I would look at it on an individual basis. Which events for the individual the patient are more disruptive? For me, full apneas were worse either as OA or CA.

[zzzZorro]

I have given up on collars even though they are very beneficial- hot and gives me a neck ache. Here was a chart from last night using a collar after a year without it (only as a test) with ResMed V auto 25/16 PS-1.8 Trigger-High Humidity-5.  Some may recall my abysmal stats back when I started.  No discussion necessary, just showing what can be achieved by someone needing a ASV but medical conditions would not allow it.  I know events will increase without a collar.  Thus: the question about Hypopneas which are usually unavoidable.

   

And without collar and same settings,

   

[sheepless]

wow. those charts are a pretty clear testimonial for the collar. clearly beneficial. sounds like you've made up your mind but maybe not as hot with summer behind us in the u.s.? & you might try a different size or style for the neck ache?

[zzzZorro]

Not that simple, Old cervical injury that is easily aggravated and causes numbness in left hand- Non Starter!

It is what it is

Here is last nights chart without the collar and everything else the same, clearly illustrating what I said.

   

So back to the original question: Which is preferable Hypopneas of Obstructive Apneas?

[Sleeprider]

If you must choose, then hypopnea is restricted breathing with more airflow than an obstructive apnea. All the obstructive events we look at are easily categorized on a continuum of severity from least to most; flow limitation, hypopnea, obstructive apnea.

[Gideon]

I always check first for Central Apnea, then address that reduction if the centrals are significant as it is often a simple reduction or PS, EPR or Flex. Then I consider the remaining Obstructed events. This bears in mind that we are using either a basic CPAP or BiLevel not designed to treat Central Apneas. The goal is an overall reduction in AHI, preferably to under 2-3, but there is flexibility there, and from there looking at mostly comfort.

[zzzZorro]

THANK YOU GENTLEMAN.  Confirming what I thought to be so. (Lesser of the Evils)