Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing stops repeatedly while you sleep. Breathing may stop hundreds of times during the night, often for a minute or more. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea can lead to various adverse health conditions. One treatment for this disorder is the use of specially designed pillows for snoring or sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and occurs when your tongue and the soft tissue of your throat block your airway during sleep .
Positional Therapy Pillows
OSA is worsened when sleeping on your back as the pull of gravity causes your tongue and soft tissue to collapse over your airway. Pillows designed to keep your body on its side with your head supported and your neck elongated, can help to alleviate the interruption of breathing caused by airway blockage.
Types
Positional therapy pillows come in various shapes and materials, but all are designed to keep you off of your back (supine) while sleeping. Some are made especially for use with CPAP or BiPAP machines that help to keep your airway open.
The Sona Pillow
Most pillows intended for positional therapy are approved for snoring, a common symptom of sleep apnea. However, the Sona Pillow is the only pillow approved by the FDA specifically for mild sleep apnea.
Considerations
Positional therapy with the use of a sleep apnea pillow is generally recommended for milder cases of OSA. The long-term effects of positional therapy are unknown. Consult with your doctor before purchasing a sleep apnea pillow.
References
- Fundamentals of Respiratory Care; Robert L. Wilkins et al.; 2009
- American Sleep Apnea Association
Writer Bio
Robin Jagoda has more than a decade of experience as a fitness/health professional and writer. She is certified as a clinical exercise specialist with the American College of Sports Medicine and holds a B.S. in exercise physiology. Jagoda is also a registered respiratory therapist with the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Image Credit
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Pedro Simões