APAP explained.

[Andysee]

I found this link which explains how the apap works. Hope it helps anyone thinking of getting one or even those with one.

http://www.resmed.com/en-au/clinicians/autoset-advantage-english-640x380.swf

PS Can take while to load.

Andy

[puffin]

Nice video, I liked the sound track, reminded me of the old days.

Very good link for beginners, as it shows how it works. Very Good.

[Dopey Plumber]

Does that link still work? I can download a .swf file but not open it.

[puffin]

Yes, it does take a few seconds for the link toopen,

[PIPKIN]

What Is Apap Im Lost On Here First Day And Stuff And Nervous

[Andysee]

Basically a CPAP machine is set at a constant pressure which is sufficient to prevent apneas. An APAP machine as the link explains monitors your breathing and adjusts the air pressure to your needs. This means you are not experiencing a high pressure all night which can lead to some discomfort. I'm new to all this as well and I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chip in.
Best regards
Andy

[Dopey Plumber]

I can't open SWF files so I can't get that link info at all....

It seems if you look at the US forum(s?) that they are ahead of the UK in terms of equipment sophistication. Some machines have variable everything and information output.
Also I'm having trouble with understanding basics


I had a basic sleep test (just a finger clip), and I don't know what the result was, more than "60". 60 what, I'm not sure! I was given a standard nhs issue single pressure machine and told basically to get to live with it.

If the machine is set to say 10 cm water pressure, that's what the pressure is when you're not breathing, or are breathing OUT. When you breathe IN, the pressure depends how fast you're breathing, because of the pressure drop down the tube to supply air to the lungs and out through the holes in the mask, and in the machine itself. Different machines/hoses/masks would be able sustain the pressure, while supplying a given volume flow, to different extents. I measured mine - it drops to about 6cm in the mask.
I'm guessing that the importance of the pressure figure is that that's the pressure needed to hold you airway open while you're breathing out, so you can breathe in again. Is that right??

Some machines evidently measure "leaks". Clearly not withe mask I have, which has a lot of holes in it!

Apart from the link above, which I hope I'll be able to read sometime, is there a basic up to non-basic description of exactly what these machines DO, anywhere?

[Dopey Plumber]

Deleted Irfanview and ran the swf with Windows Media Player and it worked.

What I don't understand is why the machines maintain the pressure during exhalation, if that ISN'T what's necessary to hold the airway open. I believe there are some machines which reduce the exhalation pressure - but by how much? I ought to do more searching but I'm too tired!
Anyone know of any published papers on this, or is it all proprietary info?

[PIPKIN]

clevar bloke dopey plumbber you sound like a doctor to me
confused new boy on ere

[Dopey Plumber]

Well I used to be quite intelligent Then little things like falling asleep started to get in the way. It happened once while talking to the boss. I remember that, it would have been about 1985...

Wound up plumbing, and a bit of teaching to Corgi gas bods. As it happens CPAP pressures are very much the same as the ones in gas boilers. It comes out of the meter at 21millibar, which is near enough 21 cm.

I'm about 6 days into using the hose now, definitely struggling, but hopeful.

[puffin]

Hi Dopey

The way I understand it. The Oxymeter measures the oxygen saturation levels in your blood supply. So when they say that your test showed 60, that means your sats. dropped 60 times in an hour or the oxygen % levels dropped. This has nothing to do with AHI measurements people talk about as these are measured in a different way.

The H2O flow rate of the air supply is the maximum the machine supplies at a given setting level. The fact that the pressure "may drop" as you breath in, is because of the slight increase in volume the machine has to fill while breathing in. The mask is designed to leak at a given rate, removing CO2 from the system. Like a space suit, designed to leak but remaining pumped up and rigid. All this leaking / filling means your machine works hard keeping up the pressure to keep your airway open.

Some machines have a Constant Positive Air Pressure all the time, generally CPAP, while others sense your breathing snoring patterns and adjust the flow accordingly like APAP, see the above video link. My machine is a CPAP, but as I breath, it matches itself with my breathing patterns. Its so good that sometimes I wake thinking that the machine has stopped working. It still is providing a "Positive Air Pressure" or "PAP" to keep my airway open, but reduces the supply pressure when I breath out. This makes it must more comfortable to breath. This is my set up http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ypb8VwxX7EA

Understanding how something works is fine and then getting hung up about it can be counterproductive, If people would just stop worrying about leaks etc and just get on and sleep. What I am trying to say in my ham fisted way is, reduce the leaks as much as you can by playing with the straps, this takes time. You "will not" stop all leaks, its a matter of finding a comfort level.