Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Best Head Position In Sleep Apnea

By Sharon Mitchell


When it comes to sleeping, you probably have a preference whether it is sleeping on your stomach, side or back. Even though it is your personal choice, it can have an effect on sleep quality especially when you suffer from breathing abnormalities. Snoring may occur when muscles in airway relax, forcing air to become restricted through the throat or nose. This article discusses the best head position in sleep apnea that may help you.

Most specialists discourage individuals from resting at the back more so for those who snore. When resting on your back, gravitational force will elevate the tendency of the soft palate, tongue or jaw to drop backward. As a result, the airways will be narrowed leading to breathing issues. Some people, therefore, consider sleeping on their stomach. If this is the best choice for you, your head ought to be twisted towards either side for normal breathing to be maintained.

According to research done, resting on your side is a good position to prevent snoring since it makes the airways stable. However, many people find it hard to naturally stick to this position throughout the entire night. One can start dozing at the side and advancing to the back after some time. If this is your habit, look for the most appropriate pillow such as the contoured pillows that can maintain shape and can hold the head at the required posture.

The log posture is a good option if you suffer from this condition. It involves sleeping on the side with both of the arms down. A good percentage of individuals prefer this posture. Resting on the side with the back in a straight posture helps in cutting down sleep issues. It can also prevent back and neck pain because your spine will be aligned at all times.

Sleeping in a starfish position is not a good choice. This posture involves sleeping on the back, spreading out your legs and bending your arms up on the side of your head. It is a good position that helps with acid reflux. However, it will make you snore. To curb this, put pillows beneath the knees before you sleep.

A factor that can cause poor dozing habits is adding excess weight. When you have extra weight, it is imperative you think about cutting down on excess weight so that you do not snore at night. Being obese narrows your airways and will add fat underneath your tongue. The best way is for you is to adopt good exercising practices and to stick to a good diet.

Consider speaking to your doctor who can recommend the best oral appliances which can help in correcting your anatomical problems. These oral appliances are fitted at a dentists office and can be worn at night when sleeping. It can successfully treat moderate or mild dozing conditions for a number of individuals. If you have a shorter jaw, this mandibular advancement device can move things to a good posture.

A surgical procedure can also be an option for you. Your doctor should guide you on the best procedures to decide on. A majority of the surgeries include removing all the tissues around the throat and at the back of the mouth which are in excess. Tracheostomy is also an option to eliminate this problem.




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