Short Periods with high AHI and low Oxygen saturation

[Thomas M]

Hi,

usually I have a low AHI around 1, but somerimes there is a periode during the night with high AHI values and low oxygen saturation. Any idea what could be the cause of this phenomina?

I have enclosed the pictures oif the last night. Upto the event I slept fine, after the event I woke up and hardly slept the rest of the night.

Thank you for your help!

Best regards

Thomas

[Sleeprider]

Clustered events are typically positional, and are often resolved with a soft cervical collar. There are other ways of maintaining the alignment of your airway (head/neck), but a comfortable fitting collar has proven to be very useful in preventing clusters of apnea, hypopnea and flow limits like you see here. Everything in your chart points to a sudden change in obstruction, and that is often as simple as your chin dropping to your chest.

[Thomas M]

Clustered events are typically positional, and are often resolved with a soft cervical collar.  There are other ways of maintaining the alignment of your airway (head/neck), but a comfortable fitting collar has proven to be very useful in preventing clusters of apnea, hypopnea and flow limits like you see here.  Everything in your chart points to a sudden change in obstruction, and that is often as simple as your chin dropping to your chest.

Thanks for your answer!

Is that also true for sidesleepers?

Best regards

Thomas

[pholynyk]

I think it is especially easy for side-sleepers (like me) - it's easy to curl into a semi-fetal position, curling the head down and pulling the knees slightly up - this prevents you (me) from rolling onto your (my) back. I don't think I have ever in my memory slept willingly on my back - only when the sleep tech told me I had to.

[Thomas M]

Thank you for your advice. I will look for a soft cervical collar!

[SideSleeper]

I sleep in that fetal position described and wear a soft cervical collar. It sure works for me--virtually no leaks and great AHI results. I can't sleep on my back--get more mouth leaks for some reason.

[Hojo]

It has been my experience that you do not need a big collar, not one like you would wear after a car accident, just enough to keep your chin from tucking in too much.  If you get the collar to big, it can be uncomfortable to try to sleep in.

[Thomas M]

Thank you both of you. I will try the cervical collar. Tonight I had again clusters of events, but not so extrem as yesterday night.