sleepyhead question

[Rastur]

Is there anyway to tell, using sleepyhead app, how much actual sleep you are getting vs how long you have the mask on?

[DavePaulson]

You can look for periods when your flow rate, respiration rate, tidal volume, and minute vent rate appear to be steady, but no not with any real certainty.

[Sleepster]

Note that the problem is not with SleepyHead. CPAP machines simply don't have the ability to collect or record that information. It might be possible for someone to write a bit of code that will analyze the breathing patterns and make an educated guess. All your CPAP machine has in the way of sensors is a pressure sensor and flow rate sensor. Everything it can tell you is based on the data collected by those two sensors.

There are apps you can get for your cell phone that claim to be able to do this, but in my opinion they can't really do it, either. I think they use the three-axis accelerometer in the phone, so you have to place the phone on your mattress next to you. Some communicate with a wrist watch that you wear while sleeping.

[Rastur]

Note that the problem is not with SleepyHead. CPAP machines simply don't have the ability to collect or record that information. It might be possible for someone to write a bit of code that will analyze the breathing patterns and make an educated guess. All your CPAP machine has in the way of sensors is a pressure sensor and flow rate sensor. Everything it can tell you is based on the data collected by those two sensors.

There are apps you can get for your cell phone that claim to be able to do this, but in my opinion they can't really do it, either. I think they use the three-axis accelerometer in the phone, so you have to place the phone on your mattress next to you. Some communicate with a wrist watch that you wear while sleeping.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to find another way.

[PaulaO2]

If you look at the pressure and flow rate, you'll see where they change. When awake, the flow rate is spiky (when looked at full view, not a zoom). The pressure may or may not increase (if on APAP). When you start to fall asleep, the flow rate will settle into a calmer routine and the pressure will increase then settle as well.