Best Sleeping Positions for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

by | Sep 25, 2020 | Health & Fitness | 0 comments

Best Sleeping Positions for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? If so, then you understand just how difficult sleeping can be, and the fact that a ‘restful night’ doesn’t exactly come easy for you. There’s no doubt that you try to find the most comfortable position to fall asleep in, which can be made extra tricky if you have a CPAP machine you need to be using. But here’s the thing, did you know that specific sleep positions are better for those with sleep apnea than others? They can aid in your breathing, and help ensure you get better sleep. So, let’s take a look at what are the best sleeping positions for sleep apnea sufferers.

Best Sleeping Positions for Sleep Apnea Sufferers:

Lateral Sleeping or Side Sleeping Position

When it comes to the best sleep position for those with sleep apnea, experts seem to be in agreement that lateral, or side sleeping is best. When your body is sideways, it actually ensures that your airways are more stable. What this means is they are less likely to restrict the air or even collapse, which will aid in your breathing through the night.

If you’ve never slept on your side before, it can feel a bit uncomfortable, and you may find yourself rolling onto your stomach or back throughout the night while you sleep. A good way to train your body to stay on your side is to place pillows on either side of you that prevent you from rolling. Over time, you will gradually stop moving, and the side position will start to feel more and more natural and comfortable.

Keep in mind that it’s also wise to use a pillow for your head that is meant for side sleepers. They tend to be contoured to properly support your neck and head. Memory foam is a very popular option in this category as it retains its shape exceptionally well. If you use a CPAP machine, Med Guru Medical Supply recommends investing in a good quality mask that fits well to ensure not only comfort but that it stays in place throughout the night.

Tummy Sleepers

While this one isn’t the absolute worst position, it’s certainly not ideal for those with sleep apnea. When you are lying on your stomach, you are actually squishing and at least partially blocking your nose and your mouth. Not only that, but it’s not an ideal position for your neck to be in. All of these factors contribute to poor breathing, which is not what a sleep apnea sufferer needs.

Best Sleeping Positions for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back is easily the worst position for those with sleep apnea to choose. You want to avoid this position completely. If you have been a back sleeper up until this point, you may be shocked to find that by simply stopping this habit, you can improve your quality of sleep quite a bit. The problem with this position is that gravity is working against you and it’s pulling everything back towards the throat. This obviously restricts the airways.

Start Getting Better Sleep

So, if you’ve never given much thought to your sleep position and how it affects your sleep apnea, now is the time to start breaking bad habits and find a better position.

So, these are the best sleeping positions for sleep apnea sufferers.

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