Do you often feel tired and irritable when you wake up and throughout the day, despite being properly rested? You could have sleep apnea if your spouse is having trouble sleeping at night due to your loud snoring or if you occasionally gasp for air while you're asleep.
This is a common yet serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people everywhere, but many are unaware of its existence or the consequences it bears on your health.
Here we will discuss what sleep apnea is, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and how we can use a pillow for sleep apnea so you get a noise free and deep sleep. Sounds interesting? Keep reading to find more.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is generally characterized by interrupted cycles of breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, causing sleep disruptions and leading to a variety of health consequences. If left untreated, it can result in more significant issues including high blood pressure or heart problems, as well as loud snoring and fatigue throughout the day.
Compared to primary, or regular, snoring, this disorder is distinct. Primary snoring can be brought on by disorders of the nose or throat, back or obesity, depressive usage, or any combination of these factors.
Common Symptoms
- Interrupted breathing every 10 seconds and loud disturbing snoring noises.
- Extreme daytime drowsiness, headaches in the morning, and difficulties focusing.
- Reduced sexual libido, frequent overnight urination, and dry mouth or scratchy throat upon awakening.
- Possible major health issues like hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
How Severe is Sleep Apnea if at all?
The seriousness of sleep apnea can be different for different individuals, greatly depending on how often and how long breathing stops during sleep, as well as underlying health conditions.
Early diagnosis and treatment is key, otherwise any type of sleep apnea can result in health problems such as daytime tiredness, a greater risk of accidents, types metabolic issues, cardiovascular problems, and complications during surgery. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which classifies instances as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the frequency of occurrences per hour, is used to identify the severity of sleep apnea.
Particularly in cases when sleep apnea is severe or is not treated, it may be deadly. Even if the illness may not be the direct cause of death, it can greatly raise the chance of developing additional severe health issues that could be fatal.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea, each with its own unique causes and symptoms.
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Of the other types, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent. It happens when the airway narrows or becomes clogged, which stops breathing or causes shallow breathing. This can happen when the soft tissue in the neck collapses, the tongue retracts, or the muscles at the back of the throat loosen up and block the airway.
Because of this, the body and brain do not get enough oxygen, which disrupts sleep cycles and lowers blood oxygen levels. Loud and continuous snoring, gasping or choking in sleep, headaches in the morning, excessive daytime drowsiness, and irritability are all signs of OSA.
Because excess fat around the neck can compress the airway and make breathing more difficult, those who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing OSA. In addition, the likelihood of having sleep apnea is higher in men, the elderly, and those with a family history of the condition.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Only around 5% of instances of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea (CSA), a less prevalent kind of the condition. It is brought on by an issue with the respiratory control center of the brain, which is not sending the right signals to the muscles that regulate breathing. Unlike OSA, there isn't a physical obstruction in the airway, but the brain isn't sending the right signals to keep breathing regularly.
Breathing pauses during sleep, shortness of breath upon waking, trouble falling asleep, and weariness during the day are all signs of chronic sleep apnea (CSA). Certain medical disorders such brain tumors, heart failure, and stroke can result in CSA. Additionally, it could be a side effect of several drugs.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea (CompSA)
The combined conditions of OSA and CSA is known as complex sleep apnea, or CompSA. It happens when someone with OSA receives continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, yet the therapy exacerbates the patient's symptoms of chronic cough. Approximately 15% of OSA patients who begin CPAP treatment may experience this.
CompSA symptoms, which include loud snoring, breathing pauses, and disturbed sleep, are a mixture of OSA and CSA symptoms. Its symptoms are similar to those of both OSA and CSA, making diagnosis difficult.
Impact of Sleep Apnea On You
When sleep apnea acts up, it means your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which messes with your body's oxygen levels. This can lead to several problems. First off, you end up feeling super tired during the day because your sleep keeps getting interrupted. Imagine trying to recharge your phone, but it keeps getting unplugged before it's fully charged – that's what happens to your body when you can't get a good night's sleep.
And it's not just about feeling sleepy; it messes with your mood too. You might find yourself feeling grumpy, sad, or just plain out of sorts. Plus, your brain doesn't work as well when you're sleep-deprived, so you might have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
Similar to trying to drive a car with a foggy windshield, it is far more difficult to see clearly and much more likely that you will make mistakes. Overall, sleep apnea can really throw a wrench into your daily life, making everything from work to just getting through the day a lot harder than it needs to be.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Anybody can be affected by sleep apnea, regardless of their age, gender, or background. But in other cases, certain circumstances might raise your chance of getting this illness.
- Anybody, regardless of age, gender, or background, can develop sleep apnea.
- A broad neck circumference, being overweight or obese, becoming older, being a man, and having a family history of sleep apnea
- Anatomical variables that can also raise risk include big tonsils or adenoids, limited airways, and so on
- Women may be more vulnerable following menopause
- The management and prevention of sleep apnea can be aided by recognizing and treating these risk factors
- Smoking can increase the risks
- Nasal congestion
- Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers
Sleep Apnea Pillow
Sleep apnea pillow can provide the head, neck, and spine the much-needed support and alignment they require to keep the airways open and lower the chance of breathing pauses as you sleep. These pillows are helpful not just for those with sleep apnea but also for individuals who have allergies or asthma because they are frequently composed of breathable and hypoallergenic materials.
Best Pillow for Sleep Apnea
A few different kinds of pillows are available for assistance in reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea. The most typical ones are:
1. Contour Pillows
The distinctive curved design of these pillows aids in supporting and cradling the shoulders, head, and neck. This pillow position for sleep apnea is highly effective in providing relief to suffering individuals as it keeps the airways open and lessens snoring. Contour pillows are a popular option for those who suffer from sleep apnea since they are made to relieve pressure points and encourage healthy spinal alignment.
2. Wedge Pillows
These triangle-shaped pillows are intended to raise the upper torso, which keeps the airways open and lessens snoring. Those who suffer from heartburn or acid reflux while they sleep can also benefit from sleep apnea pillow wedge shaped because of its raised posture, which helps keep stomach acid from rising up the esophagus.
For a side sleeper sleep apnea pillow especially wedge shaped is great for relief. One of the best wedge pillows for sleep apnea is the MedCline Reflux Relief System. Its unique design elevates the upper body at the ideal position to treat both acid reflux and sleep apnea.
3. Memory foam pillows
Because memory foam conforms to the contours of the head and neck to provide individualized support and comfort, it is a popular material for pillows. Those who have sleep apnea may find this particularly beneficial as it helps to maintain open airways and lessen snoring. In addition to its well-known pressure-relieving qualities, memory foam pillows can also be helpful for those with sleep apnea-related neck stiffness or discomfort.
4. CPAP pillows
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that creates compressed air to keep the airways open. This is a common therapy for sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea benefit from CPAP pillows because they are particularly made with cuts or shapes to fit the CPAP mask, making it more comfortable and secure.
5. Cervical Pillows
Cervical pillows are a great option for treating sleep apnea because of its ergonomic shape, which accommodates the neck's natural curve. This neck pillow for sleep apnea is a helpful tool for those with sleep apnea since they are specifically made to relieve pressure points and encourage optimal alignment.
They can also help minimize snoring and improve breathing patterns while you sleep. These pillows assist keep the airways clear by supporting the head and neck adequately, which lowers the chance of obstructive occurrences.
How To Use Sleep Apnea Pillows?
Back Sleepers
Patients with OSA are often advised against sleeping on their backs due to the possibility of airway obstructions caused by gravity pulling the tissues in your mouth lower. But you do have some alternatives if you feel most at ease lying on your back.
You can sleep at a little inclination using a hard wedge pillow, which will lessen the chance that gravity will exacerbate your OSA symptoms. As an alternative, you may decide to snooze in a chair.
Side Sleepers
You won't have to worry about how your therapy will alter your sleeping posture if you utilize a tailored oral appliance from a dentist rather than a CPAP machine. It is indeed possible to sleep on your side with a regular pillow.
A moderate to medium loft gel or memory foam pillow is often pleasant for side sleepers. These pillows can help maintain healthy spinal alignment, preventing shoulder or neck pain in the morning.
People with Allergies
Certain fiber kinds have a tendency to gather allergens, which might aggravate your sleep apnea by irritating your respiratory system. In addition to cleaning your bedroom as much as possible, you might find it helpful to use a pillow built especially for allergy sufferers; these pillows are often composed of materials that don't gather dust and other allergens. For best results, use it with a hypoallergenic pillowcase.
Do Pillows Really Help Sleep Apnea?
Yes, some people find that using a sleep apnea pillow helps manage their symptoms, especially those who have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. These specialty pillows encourage the right head and neck positions during sleep, which helps to improve airway alignment and lessen snoring. It's important to understand that these pillows are not a stand-alone treatment for sleep apnea, even if they could provide some relief.
When Pillows Don’t Help
If you think you might have sleep apnea or if you have been diagnosed with it, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and oral appliances are two additional treatment choices for sleep apnea, sleep apnea pillows should not be used in place of professionally authorized therapies.
Getting medical attention enables accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment programs, and continuous monitoring to guarantee successful management of sleep apnea and associated health issues.
Seeking quick medical attention is crucial if you encounter symptoms like extreme daytime drowsiness, loud snoring, or gasping or choking while you sleep in order to receive an assessment and proper treatment.
