If you or someone close to you suffers from a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or snoring, there is a risk for more serious health problems than the fatigue and discomfort that accompanies a lack of restorative sleep.
There are advanced medical treatments like CPAP machines for various sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, but an often effective and more affordable course of action is to find the best pillow for sleep apnea.
This can reduce your symptoms, provide relief from chronic lack of sleep, and help you lead a healthier life.
It is estimated that roughly 50 to 70 million Americans or more suffer from some form of chronic sleep disorder, and you can have sleep apnea and not even know it.
Whether you're looking for an anti-snoring pillow, the best sleep apnea pillow, the best pillow for sleeping on your side, back, or stomach, or something similar, here are some of the top-rated and most recommended pillows.
Top Rated Sleep Apnea Pillows
EnduriMed CPAP Pillow
It's important to look for a pillow that is not only going to provide the highest level of comfort, but also one that is rated for the position in which you most often sleep.
For example, side sleepers need a firmer pillow, as do those who sleep on their back, so latex or memory foam is usually recommended. And the best shape is one that curves slightly in the middle.
The EnduriMed CPAP pillow is versatile in that regard, as it is recommended for those who sleep in any position.
One of the most highly rated features of the EnduriMed is that it is designed to accommodate a CPAP machine. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and sleep with a CPAP machine, you know how hard it can be to get comfortable with an ordinary pillow.
It's also difficult to sleep on your side because of the tubes and mask.
The EnduriMed pillow has a curve for the neck at the base, which supports your head, neck, and spine. It also has wedges cut out of either side for your nose, which also ensures the mask doesn't get nudged off your face as you move from your back to your side.
You can find the EnduriMed with a recently reduced price on Amazon.
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Sona Anti-Snore Pillow
If you're looking for an FDA-approved pillow for a bit more peace of mind when it comes to doctors' recommendations, it's worth checking out the Sona FDA-cleared Anti-snore and Mild Sleep Apnea Pillow.
As the name implies, this is designed for mild sleep apnea, so it's not outfitted for the mask and tubes as the EnduriMed is. It's predominantly intended to help with snoring issues and research has shown it to work.
To that end, this pillow is very firm because it's designed to keep you on your side. It's important to note that it might take some time to get used to sleeping on this device.
Not only because it is so firm, but because it's not shaped like a traditional pillow or even curved like many anti-snore and sleep apnea pillows.
It's substantially contoured in the middle, which holds you in place on your side.
You can raise your arm over your head to keep the pillow in place, and the contour prevents you from rolling back over onto your back.
Sleeping on your side can prevent your airway from becoming constricted, which is one of the most prevalent causes of snoring.
While Sona, like similar companies who make anti-snoring devices, can't promise that by using their pillow your snoring will be completely eliminated, they do claim that it can help lessen it.
The goal is to reduce snoring, which can lead to more serious issues like sleep apnea, and provide you and anyone near you with a quieter and more restful night of sleep.
The barrier to entry is relatively low, as it's reasonably priced and you can find it online at Amazon or in stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Walmart.
Pur-Sleep CPAPfit CPAP Pillow
This has a less traditional design than what you find in a standard sleep apnea wedge pillow and has a few distinct differences. You can adjust the filling to any height unlike most elevated pillows, it isn't made of memory foam, and it isn't contoured in any way.
Instead, it's constructed of a zippered gusset made from three layers of soft quilting, which is filled with Buckwheat hulls.
Buckwheat stays dry and cool naturally, and you can add as much or as little as you want in order to create the height and shape that is most comfortable for you.
It never goes flat as some foam pillows can, and buckwheat hulls are naturally dust-free, odor-free, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial. There is no specific shaping or wedges to accommodate a CPAP machine, however.
This is purely a pillow that you can adjust to suit your needs, though customer reviews are very positive. Users have noted that it not only helps with snoring and sleep apnea but with shoulder, head, and neck pain as well.
So, Do They Work?
Sleep disorders are inherently hard to treat unless you have a severe issue, such as apnea, and a CPAP machine works for you. Like diet and nutritional supplements, unfortunately, what works for some people, doesn't work for others.
The majority of people do find relief, however, by using sleep apnea pillows for better and more restorative sleep.
Because they focus on positioning, lessening snoring, and the number of times it causes you to wake up during the night, overall, they are recommended by specialists and customers.
Keep in mind that a pillow will help but not cure your condition, and you are most likely to be satisfied and pleased with the results.
Does Elevating Your Head Help With Sleep Apnea?
Elevating your head can indeed help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea to some extent, but it is not a standalone or definitive treatment for the condition. Sleep apnea is a complex sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, often caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles, which leads to obstructed airflow. These interruptions, known as apneas, can be detrimental to one's health and overall quality of life. Elevating the head during sleep primarily addresses one specific type of sleep apnea known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Here's how it works:
When you elevate your head while sleeping, either by using a specially designed pillow or an adjustable bed, you change the angle of your upper body. This elevation can help reduce the severity of OSA by promoting better alignment of the airway and reducing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. Specifically, elevating your head:
- Reduces Gravity's Effect: Elevating the head shifts the gravitational pull on the tissues in the throat and neck. This positional change can prevent the tongue and soft palate from collapsing backward into the throat, which is a common cause of airway obstruction in OSA.
- Opens the Airway: By raising the head, you create a more open and stable airway, allowing for improved airflow. This can result in fewer apneas and less severe oxygen desaturation events during the night.
- Decreases Snoring: OSA is often associated with loud snoring. Elevating the head can reduce snoring, as it helps maintain a more open airway and reduces the vibrations of the soft tissues in the throat.
However, it's crucial to note that while elevating your head can provide relief and improve sleep quality for some individuals with mild to moderate OSA, it is not a cure or a substitute for medical treatment. Severe cases of OSA may require more intensive interventions, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, or even surgical procedures to correct anatomical issues in the airway.
Additionally, positional therapy (elevating the head) may not be effective for everyone with OSA, as the underlying causes and contributing factors can vary widely among individuals. Therefore, if you suspect you have sleep apnea or have been diagnosed with the condition, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a sleep specialist who can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and severity of the disorder. Proper diagnosis and management are essential to mitigate the potential health risks associated with sleep apnea.
Conclusion
Whether you find something like the natural buckwheat pillow by Pur-Sleep or the firmer, more molded pillow like the EnduriMed a better fit, sleep apnea pillows are an effective option for treating snoring and sleep apnea.
An elevated or wedge pillow with or without contour that accommodates the straps for your CPAP machine can be a welcome relief when you are plagued with the fatigue and exhaustion that comes from a lack of restorative sleep.
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