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Leak vs Open-mouth breathing - Printable Version

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Leak vs Open-mouth breathing - Dedwin0927 - 07-08-2020

Hi all,

I checked my sleep on Oscar this morning as last night wasn’t so restful. Turns out my AHI skyrocketed to 6 (usually less than 1). I used Eson2 mask last night, which doesn’t cover the mouth. I alternate between Eson2 and Airfit F30 (covers mouth) mainly out of comfort. 

Common sense tells me I simply exhaled through my mouth and that is why I had so many hyponeas. 

Question: wouldn’t Oscar register this as a leak? How do I know the extent to which I did exhale though my mouth?

Appreciate any feedback.


RE: Leak vs Open-mouth breathing - OpalRose - 07-08-2020

Are you using the DreamStation Pro?  If yes, please update your profile to reflect as that is what we look at first.

Next, post a screenshot of the daily page.  Follow the guidelines in my signature line.  

In answer to your question, looking at the flow rate graph on the daily page will tell you if it's mouth breathing, exhaling through the mouth, and/or mask leaking.  Either way, a high leak rate will affect the machines ability to do its job.

Post the data so we can better advise.  Thanks!


RE: Leak vs Open-mouth breathing - Sleeprider - 07-08-2020

I have noticed that when inspiration is normal through the mask and exhale is oral around the mask it is common for nearly no leak to be detected. Pressure is actually maintained in the airway and the leak rate is controlled. This is different from air gushing from the mouth while the individual continues to breathe. You can simulate doing this with the machine while awake. It actually shows a pretty high degree of airway control.