If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea, you know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. But did you know that there are specific ways to sleep that can help reduce your risk of developing this condition? Sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. It can also lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. In this article, we will discuss tips for getting a good night’s sleep and the best sleeping positions for avoiding sleep apnea. Follow these tips, and you will get the best night’s sleep possible.
What Is The Best Way To Sleep To Avoid Sleep Apnea?
Your sleep position can also play a role in your risk of developing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in people who sleep on their backs. While sleeping on your back, your tongue and soft palate are more prone to collapsing and obstructing your airway. Sleeping on your side, on the other hand, can help prevent this from happening. However, some people with sleep apnea may not be able to avoid sleeping on their backs altogether.
If this is the case, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing sleep apnea:
- Use pillows to prop up your head and keep your airway open.
- Sleep with a humidifier to moisten the air and prevent drying of the throat and nasal passages.
- Try a specially designed pillow that prevents you from sleeping on your back.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops and starts repeatedly throughout the night. This can cause you to wake up frequently, and you may not even realize it. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and other health problems.
Sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep problem. According to a 2016 report from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 12 percent of the population, or 29.4 million people, suffer from sleep apnea. What’s shocking is that 80% of the cases are undiagnosed.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and accounts for 84 percent of all sleep apnea cases. It occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is caused by a problem with your brain signals. This type is less common, affecting about 16 percent of people with sleep apnea.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing sleep apnea. These include:
- being overweight or obese.
- having a family history of sleep apnea.
- smoking.
- drinking alcohol.
- use of certain medications or drugs.
The Four Best Sleeping Positions To Avoid Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea, it is essential that you consult with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you. In some cases, positional therapy may be all that is necessary to alleviate symptoms. In other cases, more aggressive treatment options, such as CPAP therapy, may be required. But one of the best ways to avoid it in the first place is by sleeping in the right position. Sleeping in the right position can help keep your airway open and prevent your tongue from blocking your throat. Talk to your doctor about what sleeping position is best for you.
Here are four of the best sleeping positions for people with sleep apnea:-
Sleeping on Your Side
One of the best ways to avoid sleep apnea is by sleeping on your side. This position helps keep your airway open and prevents your tongue from blocking your throat. If you are a side sleeper, use a pillow that supports your head and neck. This will help keep your spine aligned and prevent you from rolling onto your back during the night.
- On your left side – The best position to avoid sleep apnea is on your left side. This position allows your tongue and soft palate to fall forward, which prevents them from blocking your airway. It also keeps your head elevated so that gravity can help keep your airway open.
- On your right side – Sleeping on your right side is not as good as sleeping on your left side, but it is still better than sleeping on your back. Like sleeping on your left side, this position prevents your tongue and soft palate from falling back and blocking your airway. In addition, sleeping on your right side relieves snoring and promotes blood flow.
Sleeping in an Elevated Position
If you suffer from mild sleep apnea, sleeping in an elevated position may help. This position helps to keep your airway open by gravity. You can achieve this position by sleeping on your back with a pillow under your head and shoulders. You can also use a wedge pillow to prop up your entire upper body.
Sleeping on Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended for people with sleep apnea. This position can actually make your symptoms worse because it puts pressure on your chest and throat. If you must sleep on your stomach, use a pillow that elevates your head and shoulders to avoid putting too much pressure on these areas. You’ll also be snoring less when sleeping on your stomach.
Sleeping On Your Back
Sleeping on your back is the worst position for sleep apnea. This position allows your tongue and soft palate to fall back and block your airway. In addition, because of the lack of oxygen, the brain compels the body to jolt awake, causing the person to awaken, gasping for air. If you must sleep on your back, use a pillow under your head and neck so that your airway is not blocked.
In addition to sleeping position, it is also important to create a bedroom environment conducive to sleep. The room should be dark, quiet, and cool. You should also avoid watching television or working on the computer in bed. These activities can stimulate the brain and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Finally, make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. We recommend you choose a mattress that helps sleepers with sleep apnea.
If you’re looking for the best mattress for sleep apnea, we’ve reviewed dozens of mattresses to find the best ones for people with sleep apnea. Check out our mattresses for a sleep apnea guide.
FAQs (Frequently Asking Questions)
1. How can I sleep to avoid sleep apnea?
You can try a few things while sleeping to avoid sleep apnea. Some include avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bed, sleeping on your side instead of your back, and using a humidifier in your bedroom.
2. What is the healthiest sleeping position?
It is debated that there are two main differences in what sleeping position will best promote the healthiest sleep:
a) Laying on your back, propping up your head with a pillow to prevent neck strain. This allows the body’s muscles to relax completely, and it can provide relief from any soreness in the lower back or joints.
b) Sleep on your side, with a pillow between your legs to keep the hips and spine in alignment. This position is best for people who experience pain in those areas. It can also help prevent snoring.
3. What is the best sleeping position for sleep apnea?
Sleeping in a position that does not obstruct the airway can help if you suffer from sleep apnea. You may want to experiment with different sleeping positions to see which best prevents this obstruction.
Sleeping with the head elevated and propped up on pillows improves circulation to reduces swelling in the throat during sleep. Elevating your head also prevents your tongue and soft palate from collapsing into the back of your throat and blocking the airway.
Sleeping on your side may help as well. This position can keep your chin from dropping down and your tongue from falling back into your throat. It also decreases the likelihood that you will snore. Some people find it helpful to sleep with a pillow between their knees to keep their spine aligned.
4. What foods cause sleep apnea?
The most common foods that cause sleep apnea are fatty and salty foods like ham, sausage, bacon, and peanut butter. Overeating before bedtime, in general, causes sleep apnea. People who snore a lot while they’re sleeping tend to have more of a problem with it. Foods high in fat or just too hard to digest can make it worse. So can alcohol and smoking.
5. What is the best position to sleep in with obstructive sleep apnea?
The best position to sleep in is either on your back or your side, but not on your stomach. Lying in any position other than one of these can cause the airways to close up even more than usual, triggering more pauses and breathing disturbances.
6. What is the healthiest way to sleep?
This answer is based on individual preferences and lifestyle needs, but the healthiest way to sleep for most people is both in many short intervals and uninterrupted. Short naps are a healthy way to sleep because they help adjust your internal body clock to synchronize with the timing of nightfall. Uninterrupted sleep is also crucial because it allows your body to enter into deep, restorative stages of sleep known as slow-wave sleep. Your brain waves slow down during these stages, and your body temperature decreases. This is when your body repairs itself from the day’s wear and tear and recharges itself for the next day.
7. What side is best to sleep on for your heart?
The left side of the bed is better for your heart if you are right-handed and the reverse if you are left-handed. This is because when you sleep on your right side, your heart is higher than your head, and gravity helps blood flow from your head back to your heart. If you are left-handed, sleeping on your left side puts your heart closer to the mattress, so it doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood.
8. Which side is best to sleep on?
Some people believe that sleeping on your left side is best for your health. Sleeping on your left side can help improve digestion and circulation. It also helps keep the spine aligned, making breathing easier at night.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can lead to many health problems. If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. There are also things you can do to reduce your risk of developing sleep apnea, such as sleeping on your side and using pillows to prop up your head. Following these tips can help you get the best night’s sleep possible and avoid the health problems associated with sleep apnea. If you have trouble sleeping, consult with your doctor to see if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.
See Also:-
- Mattress Sizes And Dimensions Chart
- Can A Bad Mattress Cause Back Pain?
- Futon vs. Air Mattress — Which One Is Better?
