Best pillow for sleep apnea review

There are three major types to be aware of:

This is the most common type, and it occurs when the tongue or soft tissues in the back of the throat partially or completely block the airways. Loud snoring is one of the telltale signs.

With this type, there is a problem with signaling from the respiratory control center in the brain. When the brain fails to signal the body to breathe, apneas occur.

When a person suffers from both obstructive and central forms, they are considered to have “complex” sleep apnea.

Sleeping on the back is considered to be one of the worst positions when it comes to this condition. This position allows the tongue to fall back, contributing to blocked airways and potentially making symptoms worse. If changing your sleeping position isn’t an option, elevating the head may help.

Side sleeping is considered the ideal position for preventing apneic episodes. Laying on the side can help to prevent the soft tissues and tongue from blocking the airways. Many physicians will suggest learning to sleep on your side as the first lifestyle change to make.

Stomach sleeping works with gravity to prevent obstruction of the airways and symptoms like snoring, but it does have its downsides too. Depending on the height of the pillow and where the face ends up (e.g., buried in the pillow), this could also lead to kinking of the main tubes that line the airways.

Most foam pillows have the benefit of relieving pressure and providing support to help with proper neck and spinal alignment. Foam makes a great material for side sleeping and conforming to the shape of a CPAP mask.

This is one of the most common materials used to create CPAP pillows. The pressure-relieving nature of memory foam works well for CPAP users and helps to prevent air leaks and facial bruising.

Many people love the feel of sleeping on a feather or down pillow, but these are not the best choice for sleep apnea. This material is very squishy and doesn’t provide adequate support for the head and neck.

These pillows work by elevating the upper body to maintain an open airway and alleviate snoring and other symptoms. Wedge pillows can be a good choice for back sleepers who are reluctant to change sleep positions.

Cervical pillows have a contoured shape to keep the head and neck straight, preventing the airways from collapsing. They also work well for relieving pain and tension. In most cases, this design works best for side sleeping.

With the growing number of CPAP users, specialty pillows are hitting the market with unique designs to accommodate masks and tubing. Many have contours where with mask can rest and straps to keep tubing in place.