Further Positional Therapy MethodsĪs sleeping on your side is more likely to prevent your airway becoming blocked compared to sleeping on your back, there are some ways to encourage side sleeping. If you suffer with sleep apnea and are a side sleeper you may want to consider a side sleeping pillow. The advantage of such a side pillow is that you can personalize the important features like height and firmness to have a pillow which works for you as you sleep. This is magnified as you turn during the night, as you will have to adjust once more to find a comfortable position.Ī pillow made for side sleeping such as the Oxygen Pillow from our online store can prevent this. When you use or stack regular pillows, they can be too soft and may not provide the elevation required to support your side sleeping position. As side sleeping is the most common of the sleeping positions, a pillow designed for side sleeping may be beneficial. We are all different and a regular sleep pillow does not always suit our needs, particularly when you have a sleeping disorder such as sleep apnea. It is worth taking some time to consider and find the right positional pillow for you. Some sleep apnea sufferers may use a large body-style pillow to ensure they maintain their position throughout the night. Often people will bunch pillows to help them feel more comfortable, which can also help support the head and neck. Having the right pillow can also benefit people who sleep on their sides. The tilted angle of the wedge pillow helps prevent the upper airway from collapsing due to gravity as would be the case when lying completely flat on your back. These pillows are made from foam, which provides a firmer material. Wedge-shaped pillows are designed to allow you to sleep on your back while your head remains in a slightly elevated position. An adjustable bed or a recliner can help tilt your head and help prevent your tongue being pulled down and blocking your airway.Ī positional pillow is another option to help your sleep position. If you tend to sleep on your back you may be advised to try methods which elevate your head when sleeping. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is one of the principal treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may also want to address your sleep position. If the index number indicates you have less events when sleeping on your side, positional therapy may be recommended. The test measures how often the airways are blocked while you’re sleeping, providing an indication of the severity of the condition. The testing device records the percentage of the night you spend in each position and whether or not your having abnormal events. Your doctor may recommend a home sleep test to evaluate how you sleep and whether your position could be worsening your sleep apnea.Īlthough sleeping on your side is usually best for breathing, it does not automatically mean your breathing is totally normalized in this position. “Apneas” or pauses in breathing, occur when the airway becomes blocked overnight - and sleeping on your back can increase this risk. As you sleep, gravity pulls the tongue and soft tissues of the throat down, blocking the upper airway. Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse.
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