Hi all -
New member here.
Trying to get a definitive answer as to whether it’s normal for oxygen saturation to decrease slightly while sleeping, as our respiratory rate generally decreases. I’m pretty sure the answer is yes; but then the question becomes … how much of a decrease is normal, or acceptable?
Been doing a lot of research, and seeing lots of different numbers. Some websites indicate anything below 95% is a desaturation, some say 93, even found one (with citation) that said 90% is normal. Most websites just don’t address it, and treat oxygen saturation as a constant (which maybe it should be.)
I’m asking because I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea – an AHI of 6. However, since then, I have made a number of adjustments including Breath Right strips, saline nasal spray, side sleeping position, losing weight, tongue exercises, and just better general sleep hygiene. Can’t tolerate CPAP.
I think these are all working. Since none of us can take a sleep test every week, I’ve been relying on an overnight pulse oximeter to at least measure my oxygen saturation levels. Most nights, I am averaging about one event per hour – with the criteria on the oximeter being a drop of 4%. My low oxygen level for the night is usually 89 or 90%, and that is usually for 10-20 seconds at most. From this perspective, I don’t have sleep apnea.
However, I am getting readings of between 90 and 94% saturation that are a little more substantial. Last night for example, I was in that range for 18% of the night … although I think a lot of that time was at 94%. I would have to spend an hour studying the details to break it down exactly. Anyway, it seems to be between 5 and 15% of the night most nights.
Hence my concern. If 90% saturation while asleep is okay, then I don’t really have a problem. At 92%, might still be okay. At 93%, a little concerned. At 94%, it’s something to take a more serious look at.
Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
