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Today's Clinician

Arnold Young

Arnold Young has been an RRT-NPS for nearly 50 years, beginning his career after graduating from the University of Chicago’s Accelerated Program in Respiratory Therapy. After 23 years in Acute Care, he joined Apria Healthcare, where he’s proudly served for 26 years. Though retired since 2020, Arnold continues working part-time out of love for his patients.

Q. How long does a sleep apnea episode typically last if my machine reports 1.0 events per hour in the morning?

A. A sleep apnea episode is defined as a pause in breathing lasting at least 10 seconds. These events can be either apneas (complete cessation of airflow) or hypopneas (partial reduction in airflow). If your CPAP machine reports 1.0 events per hour, this means that, on average, one apnea or hypopnea occurred per hour of sleep. This is a very low number and indicates excellent treatment response—well below the clinical threshold for sleep apnea diagnosis, which is 5 or more events per hour (mild), 15+ for moderate, and 30+ for severe.

So, while each event may last 10 seconds or more, having only 1 per hour suggests your therapy is effectively preventing most episodes and maintaining healthy sleep breathing patterns.

Q. I've been using CPAP for about a month, but I often wake up with a headache after only a few hours of use. Is this normal?

A. Every patient is different. If you have headaches, it can be related to your sleep apnea treatment or due to something else entirely. If you consistently experience headaches, or any other unexpected symptom, please speak to your doctor to determine how best to approach these symptoms. Sometimes, it may be as simple as using nasal sprays or remotely adjusting your CPAP machine.

Q. How can I prevent waking up with chest congestion when using my CPAP? I go to sleep fine, but if I use the CPAP without water in the humidifier, I always wake up congested.

A. Waking up with chest congestion when using CPAP without humidification is a common issue. The pressurized air from CPAP machines is typically dry, and when it lacks added humidity, it can:

Dry out the mucosal linings of your nose, throat, and lungs.
Irritate the airways, triggering inflammation.
Stimulate musous production as a protective response, leading to congestion.

This is especially common in individuals who are sensitive to dry air or have underlying respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma, or sinus issues.