Aside from getting a better nights sleep, a sleep apnea pillow may actually save and/or prolong your life. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that often goes unnoticed and untreated. However, many health problems can arise as a direct result of this disorder. If you suffer from sleep apnea you may be at higher risk of heart attacks, heart failure, high blood pressure and even diabetes.

So why is sleep apnea so dangerous? Well, the condition often causes a persons breathing to pause or stop for certain periods of time. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to even minutes in some cases. In addition, these pauses in breathing may occur up to 30 times or more per hour, effectively reducing your breathing by almost half in some sufferers.

Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of daytime sleepiness in adults. As your breathing fluctuates you move in and out of different states of sleep. Many people find that they have a loud snoring or choking sound when they resume breathing normally again. This excess noise can wake up you or your partner. Often times this will result in a much lower quality of sleep which can you leave tired throughout the day.

Common Sleep Apnea Treatments

Treatment options often vary depending on the type and severity of your sleep apnea. In many cases, mild to moderate sleep apnea can be treated with simple changes in your lifestyle. Your doctor may speak with you about losing weight, quitting smoking and alcohol as well as using some of the over the counter nasal sprays and allergy medications. You may also find relief by adjusting your sleep position and using a sleep apnea pillow at night.

For adults with moderate to severe sleep apnea you may have to speak with a physician about using a cpap machine or even surgery to find some relief. A cpap machine generally uses a mask that covers your mouth and nose. The machine blows air into your airways while you are sleeping to prevent them from becoming restricted. Many cpap users do find discomfort in wearing the mask at night, you may need to try different cpap masks to find the one that works best for you.

If you find that a cpap machine isn't working for you, surgery may be an option. Surgery is commonly used to widen your air passage and help you breathe better. This can be done by shrinking and/or removing tissue in your throat to widen the passage. Children that are having trouble breathing at night may also benefit from surgery. Removing the tonsils will usually open up the airway and help your child sleep and breathe better.

B002T61ZYI is not a valid value for ItemId. Please change this value and retry your request.

How Can a Sleep Apnea Pillow Help

There are a couple different types of pillow that help with sleep apnea. A cpap pillow has cut-outs that allow for the cpap mask to fit without causing strain or discomfort in your neck and shoulders. A typical sleep apnea pillow is designed to help you remain lying on your side throughout the night. Studies have shown that sleeping on your side results in less restriction of the airways and can help with sleep apnea in addition to stopping snoring.

When shopping for a pillow you want to look for one that has good support for the neck and cut-outs for your arms to be more comfortable. A good sleep apnea pillow should support the head while restricting movement through the night.

Please also read our sleep apnea in children page, if you believe that your child may be suffering from sleep apnea.

Filed Under: sleep apnea pillow