Sleep apnea is a chronic condition characterized by loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep which can lead to daytime sleepiness and concentration difficulties. Along with other factors like obesity and advanced age, the position you sleep in can greatly affect the severity of sleep apnea.
For those with sleep apnea, lying flat on your back can worsen symptoms by allowing the tongue and soft palate to collapse into the back of your throat. Switching to an adjustable bed could be the ideal solution to not only reducing sleep apnea symptoms, but getting more restful sleep each night.
Let’s explore the different ways adjustable beds can help with sleep apnea along with some key features to look for when shopping for one.
How Do Adjustable Beds Help Sleep Apnea?
Numerous factors contribute to sleep apnea and swapping out your bed might not resolve them all. It can, however, help you get a better night’s sleep while you and your doctor address the underlying causes of your sleep apnea.
Here are some of the ways an adjustable bed can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms and improve your quality of sleep:
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Improved breathing - Sleeping with your head and torso elevated keeps your airway clear, leading to fewer interruptions in breathing.
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Reduced snoring - When your airways are clear, you’re less likely to snore which is a common symptom of sleep apnea.
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Greater comfort for side sleepers - An adjustable bed allows you to find the angle that works best with your preferred sleeping position.
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Less pressure on your neck - Lying flat can increase the pressure on your chest and neck, causing your airway to narrow and restrict your breathing.
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More stable support - Compared to stacking pillows, elevating the head of your bed helps alleviate sleep apnea without compromising on spinal support.
Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at night. If you feel uncomfortable or constricted lying flat while wearing the CPAP mask, you might prefer to sleep with your head elevated or your body in a zero gravity position.
5 Features to Look for in Adjustable Beds for Sleep Apnea
Switching to an adjustable bed could make a significant difference in the quality of sleep you get each night. Not all models are created equal, however, and there are certain features you should look for if you’re hoping to alleviate snoring and sleep apnea.
1. Precise head elevation
Sleeping with your head and chest slightly elevated at night helps keep your airway open. This position prevents gravity from pulling your tongue and soft palate into the back of your throat where they can obstruct breathing and cause snoring. Firm pillows and wedge cushions can help but they’re less effective (and comfortable) than an adjustable bed.
Look for an adjustable bed that offers precise control over head elevation. Studies show that an incline of just 7.5° can improve sleep apnea symptoms, though experts recommend an angle between 30° and 60° for the greatest benefit. Choosing a bed that enables small adjustments means you can find the angle that’s most comfortable for you.
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Product Feature: The Ascend High-Low Adjustable Bed with Tilt offers up to 60° of head tilt and up to 45° of foot tilt. And with up to 7 inches of adjustment, you find the perfect combination of settings to suit your sleeping style.
2. Automatic anti-snore feature
If you have sleep apnea (or share your bed with someone who does), it’s worth investing in an adjustable bed with an anti-snore feature. With this feature, you can fall asleep with the bed set to whatever angle you find comfortable. When snoring is detected, the bed will automatically incline the head to reopen the airway and halt snoring without you or your partner having to make the adjustment yourself.
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Product Feature: An innovative hospital bed alternative, the Dawn House Bed features automatic anti-snore and rise-to-wake features. Plus, it’s available in Split King, so you and your sleep partner can customize your sides separately.
3. Zero gravity preset
Another worthwhile feature to consider is a zero gravity preset. The term ‘zero gravity’ refers to a position in which your head and knees are elevated slightly above your heart. It’s a neutral posture that mimics the feeling of weightlessness by evenly distributing your body weight to reduce pressure on your joints and spine.
In the zero gravity position, your torso remains elevated by about 120° which means you’ll get the same sleep apnea-reducing benefits as having just your head inclined. An adjustable bed with a zero gravity preset feature will elevate the head and foot of the bed to precise angles at the touch of a button (so you don’t have to mess with the controls yourself).
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Product Feature: Beautifully designed and decked out with features like relaxing massage mode, auto-active head pillow tilt, and a zero gravity preset, the RIO 6.0 Adjustable Bed is the ideal combination of form and function.
4. Quiet motor operation
Getting a good night’s rest is important, particularly when you have a condition like sleep apnea that can cause recurrent interruptions in sleep. Choosing an adjustable bed with a quiet motor helps minimize disruptions, especially when activating the automatic anti-snore feature. It’s also helpful if you want to make adjustments during the night without waking your sleeping partner.
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Product Feature: Equipped with advanced smart sensory technology, the ErgoSportive Adjustable Bed actively works to improve the quality of your sleep. Best of all, it does it quietly, so you won’t be disturbed.
5. Strong lumbar support
Everyone can benefit from strong lumbar support but it’s especially important if you have sleep apnea. Maintaining proper spinal alignment is crucial for keeping your airway open and promoting high sleep quality. An adjustable bed designed for lumbar support enables you to find the level of incline that’s most comfortable for you.
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Product Feature: Designed with an adjustable lumbar support bar, the RIO 5.0 Adjustable Bed keeps you comfortable all night long. Plus, the rolling chassis ensures you’ll always be able to reach your bedside table, no matter the angle.
When you have a chronic condition like sleep apnea, quality sleep can be hard to come by. The good news is that making a simple switch to your sleeping arrangement could yield significant results. Paired with a treatment plan recommended by your doctor, upgrading to an adjustable bed could be your secret to getting better sleep!
If you’re ready to start shopping for an adjustable bed, check out the selection at Ergomotion.