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For any of the gurus out there, based on the images below, what would be the reason for the differences between sea level and 6200 feet (1900 meters) of altitude?
Note that I was using a Perfect O2 oxygen concentrator set at "2" for the 6200 feet readings. No oxygen concentrator for sea level.
(I live at 6200 feet and recently went on a three week vacation to sea level)
I sleep a lot better at sea level I noticed. At 6200 feet I wake up more and I'm more uncomfortable in general. Are there any adjustments that can be made for the 6200 feet settings to make it more like sea level?
Hi pkalsleep! -
I'm not a guru, but will still answer. Both air density and humidity would be my speculation. To a lesser degree, the temperature delta between the ambient and your body temperature.
- Red
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
I would think there should be some deviation chart with your concentrator that would have offsets for different altitudes. How did you arrive at a setting of 2?
- Red
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
According to my doctor a setting of 2 on that oxygen concentrator approximates the oxygen level at sea level.
That said, I've tried other oxygen settings as well with no discernable effect on tidal volume.
At 6000 feet my tidal volume is much lower and I have more flow limitations.
Another aspect, and unfortunately I'm not the science professor or proficient at explaining the how and why, but the what is that higher elevation tends to enhance Central Apnea. This is shown on your OSCAR as increased CA. This increased a bit on your comparison samples.
Note as well, Central Apnea will have a stubborn, notorious thing where they're consistently inconsistent, as in up and down randomly without a correlation to settings.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
07-04-2024, 11:45 AM (This post was last modified: 07-04-2024, 03:01 PM by Jay51.)
RE: Sea level vs 6200 feet
That is amazing in that your tidal volume varies greater than 100% between the 2 locations. I hope that you get the correct adjustments to improve your therapy at 6200 feet elevation.
I agree with Red and Dave. Thinner air at higher altitude with less O2 concentration (percentage wise) in the air also.
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Yes, I agree about oxygen being important. However, I'm already supplementing my sleep with an oxygen concentrator to offset the lower oxygen levels at the higher altitude, so I don't think it's directly the oxygen that is the issue,
