Interpretation of Oximeter data

[theavengersngc1569]

Hi all
I have various symptoms of UARS and I'm trying to understand whether my oximeter results supports this. My next step is to ask my doctor for a full sleep study but I'd like to understand how to interpret the oximeter results first. 

Is there a recommended guide to interpreting Oximeter data? In particular I'd like to understand what is normal for Sp02 desaturations (mine: 18)  and Pulse Change events (mine: 574) in Oscar. I've included a screen shot of my data.

Many thanks

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[staceyburke]

The only thing my pulmonologist looked at was if my O2 went below 88% for several minutes. Spikes mean nothing.

[Apnea23]

The only thing my pulmonologist looked at was if my O2 went below 88% for several minutes.  Spikes mean nothing.

Not true.

A VQ missmatch can cause intermittant hypoxemia that may last less than as little as 10 seconds before compensatory mechanisms swing the other way and bring o2 levels back up.

Cardiac compensation is the primary recovery mechanism for hypoxemia so this may show up as a high level of "pulse changes" in the o2ring.

This idea desaturations have to be prolonged to have any clinical meaning is very misleading and if doctors are stating this as fact, completely negligent.

Many people are misdiagnosed with sleep disorders when in reality it's unresolved chronic lung function and gas exchange issues (which could be treated) because no-one is looking for it or ruling it out before the PAP prescription is signed off.