Apnea Positions
Posted on | November 16, 2009 | No Comments
Obstructive sleep apnea describes apnea caused by blockages of the throat and/or nasal passage as opposed to central sleep apnea caused by brain malfunction that leads the patient simple to ‘forget’ to breath). Obstructive sleep apnea accounts for the majority of cases of apnea and means that most instances of the condition can be alleviated by addressing the cause of the blockage.
One way to do this is to apply continuous pressure down the trachea to force it open during sleep. This is the main treatment used by doctors to address apnea and is achieved by the use of a device called ‘CPAP’ or ‘Continuous Positive Airway Pressure’.
It is possible however to mimic the effects of CPAP without the use of a machine. This can be achieved by changing the sleeping position in order to take negative pressure off the throat caused by bodyweight etc.
The two best positions for achieving this effect are to lie on one side (thus changing the angle of the force) or to prop yourself upright using one or more cushions. While the former is probably the least disruptive to normal sleep, the latter presents the biggest difference and so is suitable for more serious cases. Specially designed cushions can be found online and in health stores specifically for this purpose – as can hats and t-shirts that force you to remain on your side. Failing this you can ask a partner to help by changing your position in the night when they notice you’ve rolled over or switched angle.
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