How Do I Decipher Sleepyhead Graphs?

[Sienna]

I've been using a CPAP machine for almost a month now. Each day, I've been downloading the previous night's readings into Sleepyhead.

However, I'm at a loss as to what most of the graphs mean. I understand AHI and the fact that below 5 is considered good. I also know that sustained leakage - i.e. over 20 minutes - above 24 is not good.

Other than that, I haven't got a clue what it all means.

So, I'm going to post last night's graphs here in the hope that someone knowledgeable in the minutiae of this programme can explain what it all means. I have to say, the sleepyhead online help and FAQs haven't been much help. Although, this may be because I haven't found the right place to get info on it.

Anyway, here's most of yesterday's graph:





The AHI is low and leakage was the best so far in my short period of usage. Can anyone set me in the right direction as to what is and what isn't important? What I should be concentrating on and what I can ignore - if anything.

Thank you.

N.B. I couldn't work out how to get everything on one 'page'. That's why I've tried to split it into 3 and even then I didn't get everything.

[Tigers Fan]

There are books answering your question!

All you need to know is that your AHI is 0.47 which means that whatever you are doing, you are doing right.

[proterra]

Dont know why you feel, the need to download every day youll only get stressed if you see a high AHI occasionally? I do it once a week at the most usually longer.

[Darren @ Intus]

Hi Sienna,

There is quite a great deal of information on there.

I would agree with 'proterra', you really don't need to be downloading the information every day and checking on it. Once a week or every two weeks is probably a better idea, you should never fixate on the results of just one night.

With regards what information you should focus on when you are looking at the report, I would say just 3 things. AHI which as you know already you are doing splendidly at keeping down, I'm sure there are plenty of CPAP users that would love to have such a low score.

Pressure is one you want to keep track of also. It should fluctuate throughout the night which it has been doing, but it hasn't been getting over 10cmH20. If you were to find suddenly that your pressure had greatly increased over a short period of time (reaching up to 13 or 14) then that would be something to check up.

Lastly is leakage. If you discover that leaking is occurring on a large scale and quite frequently than that is an important issue, it will mean you are not getting the required pressure but at the moment everything seems to be going fine for you.

Keep up the good work

[Sienna]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Your assurances have put my mind to rest. I do check on my readings each day. Unfortunately, the hospital just gave me my machine and sent me on my way. They basically chucked me in at the deep end and left me to it. I'm so pleased that I found this forum and all of the useful information and support to be found on it.

I didn't even know about the integrated card and Sleepyhead until I stumbled upon a thread on the latter.

I'm back at the clinic on the 18th to pick up the equipment for my compliance test. This time, I'll be armed with some questions and some comments too.