i have a friend who has a lot of symptoms of OSA -- reflux, gasping for air at night, feeling tired all the time, etc. he took a home test that came back negative for OSA -- it said his oxygen desaturations were normal.
wondering whether it's even possible to have OSA without 02 desaturations. anyone know?
Permalink Reply by 99 on September 30, 2010 at 11:35am
even with oxygen desats if it is above 90 it may be considered normal
what apnea is cessation of breath for at least 10 seconds and so this affects the oxygen levels to dip maybe not enough of a dip to go below the magic figers
PD - It certainly is possible. I can offer myself as an example. With severe complex sleep apnea measured in several sleep studies, my O2 levels have always been normal - actually as good as the average 'normal' person. It seems contradictory but is true.
There is no desat requirement for an obstructive apneac event. More than likely your friend has UARS which is represented by RERAS if he has anything at all.