AHI

[bollyw]

Hi - newbie here. My machine has an AHI indicator on it but I don't know what it is meant to tell me. Before I got the machine I was diagnosed as having many episodes a night whereas the machine is telling me that I now hardly have any. Does that just mean that the machine is doing its job?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

[tallishbloke]

Hi Bolly

AHI stands for Apnoea Hypopnoea Index - these are when your airway shuts either completely or partially, and these lead to the arousals or disturbances in your sleep, which in turn destroy the quality of your sleep. It is usually quoted as how many per hour - so if you have an AHI= 30 / hour or more, then this would be classed as severe sleep apnoea. Usually, the lower the AHI can go the better, ideally down to as close to 5 / hr or less if possible.

Sounds like you are more or less there!!

[bollyw]

Thanks Tallishbloke. I wasn't sure if it was the machine that had reduced the number of incidents or whether I had suddenly been cured! I have an APAP machine so, presumably, if it is doing its job my AHI should remain at a very low level.
I certainly feel better for it!

[tallishbloke]

Hi again Bolly
Sounds like your machine is doing its job and keeping your AHI under control. Incidentally, the type of APAP unit you are using is used more and more as standard because it varies its pressure automatically as required throughout the night to keep things well under control.
Glad you seem to be doing well
TB

[James @ Intus]

To add my "2 cents" to TB's great answers, as long as the AHI is under or only occasionally at 5, you're doing great. Don't get too hung up about small fluctuations but do try and keep it at or under the magic 5. Under 5 means it's statistically under control. Zero would be an unrealitic target as even people without sleep disorders will record 'events' every now and then.

As you have an APAP, try to periodically get a report of your stats. On-screen AHI aside, a print-out will be able to tell you a lot more, like leak rates, pressure plateau, average pressures etc. These can give clues to how to remedy them.

A lot of people send us their SleepCube Smartcodes for example, we run the report and can often suggest a tweak here or there to improve the stats. Having an APAP puts you at a distinct advantage. With it, you have all the tools to ensure total success.