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Maybe a badly configured CPAP machine is worse than nothing at all? The article says the data they collect include something called "mask leak rates". That mea

Maybe a badly configured CPAP machine is worse than nothing at all? The article says the data they collect include something called "mask leak rates". That means the machine has an airtight mask and could in principle suffocate you if it malfunctions.

reaperducer 8y ago
That means the machine has an airtight mask and could in principle suffocate you if it malfunctions. Ummm... no. If the CPAP machine fails, you'll just start sucking air in the holes that are normally used to expel your exhalations. (When you exhale, the air goes out through these vents, not back into the machine.) It's significantly less airflow, and will cause you to wake up, but it's not going to suffocate you.
- saint_fiasco 8y ago
  But isn't the point of sleep apnea that the lack of air does not wake you up?
  - Rooster61 8y ago
    Only until your brain reaches a threshold where it says "OOOOK, we definitely need to start breathing now. Time to wake up". When you reach that threshold, you wake up on a very low, subconscious level that disrupts your sleep pattern, which in combination with the lower level of oxygen, is what causes the damage to your system. The difference with a malfunctioning machine is that you still cant get air even after that threshold has been hit (or at least it's very difficult to do so). At that point, your brain kicks you totally out of a sleep state and you awake completely.
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
  - Tomte 8y ago
    No, the point is that your brain initiates an "emergency procedure", so to speak, when oxygen levels in the blood get too low. This results in a few very quick, gasping breaths and lots and lots of physiological stress, including heightened blood pressure. If lack of air not making you wake up was the problem, patients would die long before seeing a doctor.
tyingq 8y ago
I'd be surprised. You can breathe fine even with the machine powered off. Power failures would be pretty exciting if not.
digikata 8y ago
That would be a terrible device design regardless of if the approved software is being used on it or not. I suspect it's not nearly that risky.
Rooster61 8y ago
They are airtight in as much as they can effectively deliver the prescribed pressure without leaking air. Not truly airtight. The system HAS to have a safeguard against malfunctions, as power loss is always a possibility. They generally have a passive airflow built into the line somewhere.
PhasmaFelis 8y ago
Not sure what exactly "mask leak rate" means, but I know you want the device to form an airtight seal with your face so it's not blowing out the sides of the mask. The mask as a whole has small ventilation holes, however.
coredog64 8y ago
Peter Farrell (ResMed founder) has an oft-repeated quote to the effect of “The only way a CPAP machine can harm you is if someone hits you over the head with it.”
PhantomGremlin 8y ago
That means the machine has an airtight mask and could in principle suffocate you if it malfunctions. One of the most popular masks is the ResMed Airfit P10.[1] This is a "nasal pillows mask". It is airtight, but only on your nose. If the mask malfunctions or your nose clogs up, then instead of suffocating, you can open your mouth to breathe. A full-face mask can presumably malfunction, even though it has a "failsafe" feature to let you breathe. [1] https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-p10.html https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-...

reaperducer 8y ago

That means the machine has an airtight mask and could in principle suffocate you if it malfunctions. Ummm... no. If the CPAP machine fails, you'll just start sucking air in the holes that are normally used to expel your exhalations. (When you exhale, the air goes out through these vents, not back into the machine.) It's significantly less airflow, and will cause you to wake up, but it's not going to suffocate you.

saint_fiasco 8y ago
But isn't the point of sleep apnea that the lack of air does not wake you up?
- Rooster61 8y ago
  Only until your brain reaches a threshold where it says "OOOOK, we definitely need to start breathing now. Time to wake up". When you reach that threshold, you wake up on a very low, subconscious level that disrupts your sleep pattern, which in combination with the lower level of oxygen, is what causes the damage to your system. The difference with a malfunctioning machine is that you still cant get air even after that threshold has been hit (or at least it's very difficult to do so). At that point, your brain kicks you totally out of a sleep state and you awake completely.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- Tomte 8y ago
  No, the point is that your brain initiates an "emergency procedure", so to speak, when oxygen levels in the blood get too low. This results in a few very quick, gasping breaths and lots and lots of physiological stress, including heightened blood pressure. If lack of air not making you wake up was the problem, patients would die long before seeing a doctor.

tyingq 8y ago

I'd be surprised. You can breathe fine even with the machine powered off. Power failures would be pretty exciting if not.

digikata 8y ago

That would be a terrible device design regardless of if the approved software is being used on it or not. I suspect it's not nearly that risky.

Rooster61 8y ago

They are airtight in as much as they can effectively deliver the prescribed pressure without leaking air. Not truly airtight. The system HAS to have a safeguard against malfunctions, as power loss is always a possibility. They generally have a passive airflow built into the line somewhere.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

Not sure what exactly "mask leak rate" means, but I know you want the device to form an airtight seal with your face so it's not blowing out the sides of the mask. The mask as a whole has small ventilation holes, however.

coredog64 8y ago

Peter Farrell (ResMed founder) has an oft-repeated quote to the effect of “The only way a CPAP machine can harm you is if someone hits you over the head with it.”

PhantomGremlin 8y ago

That means the machine has an airtight mask and could in principle suffocate you if it malfunctions. One of the most popular masks is the ResMed Airfit P10.[1] This is a "nasal pillows mask". It is airtight, but only on your nose. If the mask malfunctions or your nose clogs up, then instead of suffocating, you can open your mouth to breathe. A full-face mask can presumably malfunction, even though it has a "failsafe" feature to let you breathe. [1] https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-p10.html https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-...