Sleep apnea treatment without cpap: Positional obstructive sleep apnea
Patients that have already undergone a sleep study and that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, may be given a diagnosis of positional obstructive sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea usually indicates that the patient only experiences apnea or moderate to severe sleep apnea while sleeping on their back (supine position).
Sleeping on their sides resolved obstructive sleep apnea in 20% of patients.
Sleeping on your sides (lateral position) reduces the severity of respiratory events in patients with central sleep apnea and Cheyne-stokes. Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This occurs because your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. In patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, sleeping on their sides improves the passive airway anatomy. Lateral sleeping resolved obstructive sleep apnea in 20% of patients.
Positional sleep apnea therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with another sleep apnea treatment.
How to avoid back sleeping
When the physician states that you have positional obstructive sleep apnea the treatment involves sleeping on your sides. Training is required to ensure that you don’t turn onto your back during the night. The Slumberbump trains individuals to sleep comfortably on their side so breathing can return to normal. It has an inflatable air pocket and the sleep belt is easily worn around the chest to keep the patient from rolling over. Such training lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 days until you naturally sleep on your sides.
The Slumberbump is simple, easy and comfortable to wear that over 90% of buyers actually use it.
The Slumberbump may be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine, depending on the severity of sleep apnea while supine. A sleep clinic can help you decide what is the best form of treatment for you.
