Sunday 24 February 2019

The Appropriate Head Position In Sleep Apnea

By Sharon Mitchell


Everybody has their preferences when it comes to sleeping. This can either be at the back, stomach or side. All these styles can have an adverse effect on the quality of sleep more so when you have breathing abnormalities. Snoring mostly occurs when the muscles in the airways relax, thereby restricting air through the nose or throat. Below is a discussion of head position in sleep apnea you should read about.

Lying on the back is not a good position if you suffer from this condition. This is because the gravitational force will increase the tendency of the soft palate, jaw, and tongue to drop back, narrowing the airways thereby leading to breathing difficulties. Resting on your stomach, therefore, seems like an alternative. However, you will have to twist your head on the side so as to maintain breathing.

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 sleeping posture is the best option when suffering from such a condition. It entails resting on your side while the arms are down. Most people find resting at such a posture perfect. Resting on your side while the back is in a straight position assists in preventing problems. It also prevents any neck and back pain as it ensures the spine is aligned correctly.

A starfish posture is also not recommended. It involves lying at the back with legs spread apart and arms bent up on the side of a head. This posture is important in helping with acid reflux but will lead to snoring. To make it better, you can put pillows underneath your knees before resting.

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.

It is important you talk to your doctor to suggest to you good oral appliances you can use to correct any anatomical issues. Such oral appliances are normally fitted at a specialists office and are used at night to prevent snoring. It can be used in the treatment of mild or moderate dozing issues for many people. For those with a short jaw, they should consider using a mandibular advancement device that will ensure everything is in the perfect condition.

Another treatment option you can consider is surgery. There are a number of surgical options you can choose from. Surgery basically involves removing the excess tissue at the back of the throat and mouth and in the upper airway. Another option is Tracheostomy that is a surgical incision at the front of your windpipe. Before opting for such a procedure, ensure you discuss with your doctor first.




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