Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Can someone explain how EPR reduces flow limitation?
#31
RE: Can someone explain how EPR reduces flow limitation?
(10-23-2024, 10:51 AM)G. Szabo Wrote: When we increase CPAP pressure, this phenomenon becomes increasingly pronounced. Hence, less and less of the lung's volume can participate in the breathing cycle because of the dead air stuck inside. Therefore, inspiration becomes less and less efficient from the perspective of the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange process, leading to a special kind of inspiration limitation. Hence, paradoxically, a less efficient exhalation leads to limited inhalation or a particular inhalation flow limitation, which we cannot necessarily see on the flow chart. 

Here are some additional observations that support the importance of EPR.
 
I have palatal prolapse periods, a particular type of expiratory flow limitation. During these periods, my inhalation peaks also become suppressed, i.e., the peaks become smaller and narrower, indicating that the lung cannot take more air because the inhaled air was not fully exhaled. As a result, my oxygen saturation drops from 96% to 93% or even lower.

Conclusion: When EPR increases the efficiency of exhalation (for those without palatal prolapse), it also ensures the optimum volume of inhaled air and maintains high oxygen saturation. 
     
Post Reply Post Reply
#32
RE: Can someone explain how EPR reduces flow limitation?
Szabo.
Good point about the palatal prolapse I too have that and it was pointed out by Patrick McKeown that we should never fully mouth tape must always be able to have our mouth open for air puffing when the prolapse occurs.

Also I have noticed that when the pressure is higher my exhalation time goes up so it seems that my body naturally exhales longer to prevent the problem you suggest can happen for others.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Flow Rate wave form has sharp peaks dloomis 6 170 6 hours ago
Last Post: Sleeprider
  [Pressure] OA without Flow Limitation? lessgroggy 10 189 8 hours ago
Last Post: SeePak
Question Help interpreting OSCAR Flow Rate Data w/ UARS Primarysecondary465 0 109 01-04-2025, 11:33 AM
Last Post: Primarysecondary465
  Flow Limits How to Upgrade CPAP to Bilevel Deborah K. 118 17,298 01-02-2025, 04:35 AM
Last Post: alimama
  question on flow limitation yankees123 6 299 12-12-2024, 07:33 PM
Last Post: yankees123
  [CPAP] Snoring, Flow limits and fatigue on CPAP PureCha0s 1 246 12-11-2024, 08:31 PM
Last Post: staceyburke
  Flow Rate/Flow limit ovmeadows 1 300 12-09-2024, 12:59 PM
Last Post: G. Szabo


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.