Understanding Positional Sleep Apnea and Treatment Options
Do you only snore or experience apnea episodes when sleeping in certain positions? If so, you may have “positional” sleep apnea that improves by side-sleeping.
Luckily, various remedies can help train better posture for sounder sleep. At our Snoring and Sleep Solutions of Nevada practice, we personalize treatment plans to suit your degree of position dependence.
Let’s review positional sleep apnea patterns and how to choose the right therapy approach. With simple adjustments, you can breathe and sleep easier!
How Sleeping Position Affects Breathing
When lying on the back, gravity causes the tongue to collapse against the throat’s back wall. This narrows airways, obstructing breathing. Signs of positional apnea include:
- Snoring or apneic events only in the supine position.
- Silent breathing and lower apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores when on your side.
Studies show over 50% of patients have at least twice as many apnea episodes on their back versus side. Changing sleep position can significantly improve airway caliber.
Mild Positional Apnea Treatment Options
For mild position-dependent apnea, these conservative therapies help train better posture:
- Comfortable side-sleeping pillows keep you on your side. Avoid flat pillows.
- Physical therapy exercises to increase neck muscle tone and avoid airway collapse.
- Nighttime devices prompt side-sleeping like pillows with vibratory alarms.
- Light daytime exercise regimens tire muscles and promote deep sleep, so you don’t toss and turn.
These simple adjustments minimize apnea events and their health impacts by facilitating side-sleeping.
Advanced Therapy for Moderate-Severe Positional Apnea
With more significant apnea correlated with back-sleeping, oral appliance therapy or specialized position training devices help train muscle memory for consistent side posture.
Oral devices worn nightly hold the jaw slightly forward to maintain an open airway despite position shifts. Respiratory muscle training devices like the Multiples system strengthen throat muscles. Both approaches reduce position dependence over time.
For refractory cases, some patients undergo hypoglossal nerve upper airway stimulation to stimulate tongue muscle contraction, keeping the airway open even on the back.
Choosing the Right Treatment Plan
Our compassionate providers take a personalized approach based on the following:
- Your overall AHI severity on diagnostic polysomnography.
- The difference in AHI between supine and side-sleeping during your study.
- Your response to at-home posture adjustments like pillows.
- Willingness to use oral devices or specialized equipment nightly.
- Other apnea contributors include weight or nasal congestion issues.
With individualized therapy targeting root causes of positional obstruction, rest easy knowing treatment can overcome postural impacts. Consistency optimizes lasting gains.
Let our expertise determine if basic adjustments or advanced therapies are right for your degree of position dependence. With an integrated plan, enjoyable slumber awaits in any position!
