Obstructive sleep apnea affects at least 25 million adults in the U.S., and incidence rates are increasing. Sleep apnea occurs when your airways are partially or completely obstructed during sleep, leading to snoring, choking, gasping or silent pauses in breathing while you’re sleeping. The fitful sleep means feeling less rested and more fatigued during the day, as well as a heightened risk of heart failure, stroke or diabetes. You may be able to lessen the effects of sleep apnea by changing your sleeping position.
The Best Position
Experts generally agree that the sleeping position with the most benefits for sleep apnea is lateral, or side-sleeping. When sleeping on your side, the tongue and soft palate in your mouth are less likely to “fall backward” and block your airways. Instead of curling up, straighten out your body to maximize lung capacity.
You can make this even more effective by elevating your head, tucking a pillow between your knees and another underneath your back. These pillows keep your spine straight and your neck aligned.
The Worst Position
When dealing with sleep apnea, avoid lying on your back while sleeping. Back sleeping is known to exacerbate snoring, and this is especially true for anyone with sleep apnea. Gravity will pull the tongue and soft palate downward and into your airways.
When To Seek Medical Attention
If you struggle with sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to consult with an ENT or sleep specialist to diagnose the issue and initiate treatment before it progresses. Untreated sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your quality of sleep and cause significant disruptions to your life as a result. San Diego ENT now offers a cutting-edge, maskless sleep apnea therapy known as Genio®. This treatment is FDA-approved and is clinically proven to significantly reduce sleep apnea events. Call us today to learn more and to begin your treatment journey for sleep apnea.