A CPAP-Compatible Pillow
Loud snoring is not just an annoying habit; it can indicate a potentially serious medical condition. Patients with sleep apnea, where nighttime breathing is continuously interrupted, may use a CPAP machine to relieve the symptoms of the condition. Despite its health benefits, a CPAP apparatus can be cumbersome to wear; a CPAP-compatible pillow is one possible solution to this issue. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Underlying Condition: Sleep Apnea
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Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops and starts throughout the night. Complications of the condition include cardiovascular problems, snoring, daytime fatigue and complications with surgery or medications. Risk factors for sleep apnea include obesity, a neck circumference larger than 17 inches, hypertension and a narrow airway. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, breathing cessation during sleep, morning headache and dry mouth.
How CPAP Therapy Works
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CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This therapy is prescribed for those with moderate or severe sleep apnea. Patients wear a mask over their nose through which a machine pumps a continuous stream of air. The machine's pressure keeps the upper airway passages open, preventing the collapse that causes breathing to stop.
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Sleeping With a CPAP Mask
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Due to the size and shape of the CPAP mask, some patients find wearing it uncomfortable. The Mayo Clinic recommends adjusting the mask's straps to obtain a secure and comfortable fit. The Mayo Clinic also recommends speaking with a physician to get the pressure adjusted if the flow of air feels too strong, or if the patient continues to snore or begins to snore again after regular use.
A CPAP-Compatible Pillow
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Commercially produced pillows are available that allow for a patient's head to be supported without interfering with the CPAP mask placement. The pillows are shaped so that when a patient sleeps on his side, the mask and tube fall into an open space carved into the pillow. Unlike a standard pillow, this prevents the mask from pushing up against the material and becoming loose. CPAP pillows have open spaces carved into both the left and right sides, which allows patients to sleep on either side or on their backs without disturbing the mask.
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