subject: About the CPAP Sleep Apnea Pillow [print this page] About the CPAP Sleep Apnea Pillow About the CPAP Sleep Apnea Pillow
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. "Apnea" is derived from the Greek language. It means "without breath". Those suffering from the condition can stop breathing hundreds of times nightly and for periods of a minute or longer.
The cause of this condition is a blockage in the back of the throat by soft tissue, and hence it is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea, (OSA). During sleep, an obstruction is formed as the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes. The sleeper is aroused by the brain at each apnea event to resume breathing, however, sleep quality suffers.
According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea is very common, and effects more than twelve million Americans. Since the majority of sleep apnea sufferers remain undiagnosed or treated due to a general unawareness, this could lead to serious consequences. Males over 40 years old and overweight are the most common sufferer, but anyone, at any age can have sleep apnea.
Consequences of untreated sleep apnea are potential great. Some of these serious health issues associated from sleep apnea are high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, impotency, memory and headache problems and weight gain. As several treatment options are available there is good news for those with the condition.
Purposed design features for sleep apnea pillows are very effective. The pillow is designed to more evenly distribute the body forces to the shoulders and arms for more effective support. The resting position of the body is totally unrestrictive because it is designed to follow the anatomical contour of the body. By design, it becomes a CPAP Pillow. "Continuous positive airway pressure", is the definition of CPAP.
The use of a CPAP Sleep Apnea Pillow promotes a much better sleep posture. Side sleepers benefit greatly from this approach. It is discouraged to sleep on the back or stomach because most of the severe cases of breathing cessation occur from those positions.
The head is elevated at a correct angle by the sleep apnea pillow, allowing for the full extension of the neck, which in turn allows the airways to be completely open. Various sleep apnea pillow designs are being used for many treatments of sleep disorders and are successfully improving the patient's condition. The associated health risk of sleep apnea and hypertension, heart issues and others are being lowered as a result.
On an additional note, because of the better support by using the pillows, snoring is reduced. This should make the entire household pleased.
Studies show that users of sleep apnea pillows have significantly lower frequencies per hour of sleep disruptions as their head is cradled in a concave like saddle, allowing for increased diameter of the air passage.
The CPAP Sleep Apnea Pillow comes in several models. I highly recommend considering this approach.
