Choosing the Best Pillow For Sleep Apnea

There are many factors to consider when selecting the best pillow for CPAP therapy, and all of these may make a difference in the effectiveness of the therapy. To make sure you are selecting the correct pillow for your condition, here are some things to consider:

Sleep apnea itself is a sleeping disorder that involves breathing and the muscles used in this process. CPAP therapy is an effective means of controlling sleep apnea, but it is only effective in treating certain types of apnea. The latest studies indicate that using a pillow to support the head and neck, known as a wedge pillow, can help promote healing, reduction of discomfort, and recovery from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects a number of people throughout the world. It is estimated that up to 10% of the general population has some form of sleep apnea. Because the syndrome occurs during deep, restful sleep, the symptoms are often not recognized.

In more severe cases, such as those involving obesity or underweight individuals, the disorder can be less noticeable. This leads to the belief that a wedge pillow for sleep apnea may not be a good choice for people with mild cases of sleep apnea.

While there is no cure for sleep apnea, it can be treated using CPAP therapy. The device, which is a medical device worn during sleep, is a part of the therapy, and will work to keep the airway open. However, if the airway is blocked, apnea occurs.

Before choosing a pillow for sleep apnea, it is important to know what type of apnea one suffers from. Generally, there are three types of apnea. These include snoring, transient and chronic.

People who suffer from sleep apnea tend to snore. During the night, the airway opens and closes while in sleep, which makes it difficult to breathe. Snoring is generally loud, but some people don’t even have any complaints about loudness.

For those who snore, using a pillow will be beneficial. A wedge pillow for sleep apnea that uses such a technique is helpful because it can provide the support necessary to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. It also helps to improve circulation and reduces pressure on the neck and throat.

There are also those who suffer from sleep apnea for reasons other than snoring. The disease can occur due to conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, where oxygen levels are too low during sleep. These types of acne are usually associated with obesity and heart conditions.

Many who have sleep apnea tend to be overweight, and they may have excess neck and shoulder muscle tone. A wedge pillow for sleep apnea that employing such a technique, however, can help alleviate this problem. It can also prevent the tension from building up in the neck and shoulders that cause sleep apnea to occur.

Other forms of sleep apnea are caused by issues related to obesity. Fat deposits around the neck and at the back of the head cause the muscles to relax, and this leads to sleep apnea. By using a wedge pillow for sleep apnea, the support is provided so that the muscles in the neck can relax, and they are prevented from becoming tense.

Whether you suffer from sleep apnea on a frequent basis or are a frequent victim, there are several options available to help relieve the discomfort. If you have been using the same pillow for sleepapnea for years, it may be time to consider changing to a new one. Fortunately, the option of a wedge pillow for sleep apnea is an effective one.