What is Sleep Apnea?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. The “apnea” in sleep apnea refers to a breathing pause that lasts at least ten seconds. OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, despite efforts to breathe.
Warning Signs & Symptoms
There are many symptoms and warning signs of OSA, including snoring, frequent breaks or pauses in breathing, excessive tiredness, nighttime headaches, high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.
Chronic snoring is one of the most frequently cited symptoms of sleep apnea. It should be noted that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. The biggest telltale sign is how you feel during the day. Normal snoring doesn’t interfere with the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to suffer from extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day.
Health risks of sleep apnea include high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, GERD, low oxygen levels in the blood, long interruptions of breathing, and chronic headaches. There are many ways to alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea, most which include lifestyle changes.
Although we are not medical professionals, we do know one thing: adjustable beds have proven to alleviate symptoms of both OSA and snoring.
Sleeping Positions & Adjustable Beds
Snoring occurs when lying flat because, in this position, the neck puts extra weight on the windpipe causing it to close and to make the noise known as snoring. When the adjustable frame lifts the head, gravity allows for the weight to be taken off the windpipe, thus, reducing the snoring problem.
Like snoring, sleep apnea is a breathing problem that can be decreased by simply using the adjustable bed frame to raise the head. Sleeping in a more angled position improves airflow, reducing obstructions from the nasal passages to allow for a healthier, uninterrupted sleep, caused by apnea. Oxygen (that is restricted when lying flat) will be able to flow more freely and sinus pressure will be naturally relieved with the head lifted.
The FDA has said that adjustable beds aid in the treatment of a number of medical afflictions and illnesses. Snoring is not a problem, except for your partner. Normally adjusting the upper part of the bed to a higher position eliminates or reduces snoring. For some patients the snoring will prevent you from reaching a deep restful sleep, known as REM sleep.
