Is an apnea/hypopnea index of 6 (sleep apnea) bad enough to merit treatment?
I have other health problems and I was searching for answers so I did a couple of sleep studies. When I wore the CPAP it caused "centrals" to occur so they did not recommend I use a CPAP for treatment. Is an AHI of 6 really that bad? It seems to me that sleep disorders are becoming an easy business and everyone and their brothers are getting into it to supplement income. I know a 6 on the AHI scale is "mild" but what is mild. Define mild because one word alone does not really mean much. I wonder, statistically speaking, if most everyone has a low rating and they are just trying to make a buck.
Tagged with: cpap • easy business • health problems • sleep • sleep disorders • sleep studies
Filed under: Sleep Apnea Solutions
You are correct-sleep medicine has become a big industry.
First, I would like to say that the CPAP per se did not cause the centrals-they are apneas caused by a failure of the brain to tell your diaphragm to move vs. the airway closing so attempts to breathe are blocked. An improperly titrated CPAP is what causes centrals. The thing to do for that would be go to a different sleep lab.
That said, an AHI of 6 indicates an EXTREMELY mild sleep breathing disorder-I can’t tell you what to do but if it were me I think I’d just let it slide unless you are having a lot of trouble staying awake during the day. Good luck to you.