The Best Pillows for Sleep Apnea

When it comes to sleep apnea, a holistic approach will always yield better results. There are various treatment methods that complement each other and can be combined to meet your individual needs. In addition to weight loss and an oral appliance, Dr. Simmons may recommend positional therapy. 

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy focuses on situating yourself in a way that will help to keep your airway open while you sleep. While some patients prefer to sleep on their backs, this is typically the position that allows gravity to collapse your airway and a sleep apnea event to occur. 

The ideal sleeping position for patients with sleep apnea is on either side or your stomach. However, it can be difficult to retrain yourself on how to sleep, and it won’t entirely keep the symptoms at bay. With positional therapy, you’ll utilize the help of a pillow to ensure you’re in a less vulnerable position. 

Types of Pillows 

The best types of pillows are made of foam or memory foam– these types of pillows adapt to the contours of your spine and mitigate the risk of a sleep apnea event. When searching for a pillow designed to help with your sleep apnea symptoms, you’ll want to focus on the shape of the pillow. 

Sleep apnea pillows are designed to cater to your preferred sleeping position. Contour pillows are ideal for patients who prefer to sleep on their sides and wedge pillows are for patients who sleep on their backs. 

Contour pillows work by keeping your neck straight to prevent your throat from collapsing. Wedge pillows place your body at an inclined angle to prevent gravity from closing your throat. A firm pillow will provide the best results.

If you use a CPAP machine, there are contour pillows and wedge pillows that can improve your comfort when wearing the appliance by supporting the mask and allowing additional room for the tubes. 

Final Thoughts

There are several types of pillows on the market that can improve your sleep apnea symptoms. Some pillows may be more comfortable than others and you may have to search until you find one that works for you and helps keep your airway open. 

If you’d like, Dr. Simmons can provide some recommendations to fit your needs. While you may see some improvements with positional therapy, it’s best used in combination with tried and true methods like an oral appliance or CPAP machine to ensure you’re getting the rest you need.

Contact Dr. Simmons For Sleep Apnea Treatment

There are certain lifestyle modifications that may complement traditional treatment methods to provide a well-rounded approach. Dr. Simmons believes in utilizing various treatments to meet your individual needs, so we can tackle your symptoms from every angle and you can get a better night’s rest. 

Contact our office to schedule a consultation by calling (818) 300-0070 or fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you soon.