Explanation of Terms

[Sleepster]

If my value for Flow Limitations is .43, what is that actually telling me?

We don't know! They don't tell us how those numbers are calculated.

Flow limitation is used by the machine's software to make pressure adjustments. The idea is that when flow limitation rises it's likely that an obstruction is pending, so the machine raises the pressure to stop the obstruction before it can happen.

In some way that's a mystery (the manufacturers like to keep these things a secret so they can beat their competition) the shape of the flow rate graph is used to determine flow limitation. You can see that when the shape starts to change the flow limitation goes up. I think they are just using some arbitrary scale that ranges from zero to one.

[paulag1955]

So you're saying that it's just telling me that I have some degree of obstruction and the number itself may be rather arbitrary?

[Sleeprider]

I don't think it is arbitrary, but rather the graph of a mathematical expression of inspiratory shape or roundness based on a 5 Hz signal from the machine sensors.

We should have probably left it at arbitrary. It is "relative" to your normal breathing, rather than an absolute value. I believe there is a comparison to your baseline breathing.

[paulag1955]

Hahahaha! Yes, "arbitrary" works for my brain! Thanks again, guys.