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AHI Explorer

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According to clinical guidelines, your AHI of 16.2 is defined as Normal.

According to clinical guidelines1, your AHI of 16.2 is defined as Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Insights

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Menopause can lead to changes in sleep patterns, including an increased risk of sleep-disordered breathing.A2

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OSA severity increases with age among women aged between 45-53 years.A1

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Snoring is a common symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). 3 in 10 men who are habitual snorers also suffer from some degree of OSA.A3

OSA Severity Chart

30+
Severe
15 - 30
Moderate
5 - 14
Mild
0 - 4
Normal
16.2

Average 16 episodes of paused or shallow breathing per hour of sleep.

Mild: You may notice yourself feeling sleepy during activities that don't need a lot of focus, such as watching the TV or reading.

Moderate: You might inexplicably become sleepy during activities that require some attention, such as a meeting or presentation.

Severe: You may experience sleepiness during times where your active attention is required, such as talking or driving.

Severity level as defined by American Academy of Sleep Medicine1

Learn More

What OSA severity levels mean

The severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is measured by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which is the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. Apneas are complete stops in breathing, while hypopneas are partial stops in breathing.

The AHI is used to classify OSA as mild (AHI of 5-15), moderate (AHI of 15-30), or severe (AHI of 30 or more). The higher the AHI, the more severe the OSA.2

So, what might it feel like for someone suffering mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea?

Mild: You may notice yourself feeling sleepy during activities that don't need a lot of focus, such as watching the TV or reading.

Moderate: You might inexplicably become sleepy during activities that require some attention, such as a meeting or presentation.

Severe: You may experience sleepiness during times where your active attention is required, such as talking or driving.

What is a normal AHI?

A score of under 5 is considered in the normal range. This means you experience less than 5 apneas per hour. Any score above 5 may be indicative of sleep apnea.1
Anytime you have a question on your own AHI score, you should contact your healthcare professional.

How OSA can affect your sleep

Sleep apnea disrupts your breathing and can cause you to frequently wake up during sleep, preventing you from getting the rest you need.

This can cause you to experience daytime fatigue, irritability and drowsiness. You may also struggle to concentrate or fall asleep during daily activities such as work, watching TV or driving.1

How can I improve my sleep?

The good news is that no matter the severity of your sleep apnea, there are solutions available to help improve your sleep quality. One of the most common treatments is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves wearing a mask that delivers pressurised air to keep the airway open during sleep.

It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best sleep solution for your specific needs and circumstances.

Treatment options

Citations

1

Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/full/10.5664/jcsm.6506

2

https://aasm.org/resources/factsheets/sleepapnea.pdf

A1

Age-Group-Specific Associations between the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Relevant Risk Factors in Male and Female Patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161416/

A2

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/1764837/

A3

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8464434/