It’s a common phrase to say that we’re “catching some Z’s” when we go to sleep – but sometimes those Z’s can be a symptom of a larger sleep problem that you may not be aware of, especially when the snoring is unusually loud and bothersome. Likewise, it can also be an indicator of an increased risk for type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder that is often overlooked by many people. The most common type – obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – is caused by the relaxation of the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat during sleep that obstructs your body’s airways.
Typically, sleep apnoea patients would undergo a sleep study to properly diagnose their condition, and in many cases, a continuous positive airway pressure machine or a CPAP machine is often prescribed to manage the airflow and breathing while sleeping.
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?
While most people only attribute sleep apnoea to loud snoring, this serious condition can cause death due to difficulty breathing and can only get worse as you age or because of other factors like obesity, smoking, genetics, or the use of alcohol and drugs.
Snoring is only one of the possible symptoms. Some other effects of sleep apnoea include gasping and choking in sleep, morning headaches, irritability, sore throat and dry mouth when you wake up, and many more depending on the severity of the case.
What Can You Do?
There are studies concerning sleep apnoea with helpful treatments that may aid you depending on the severity of the case. It usually involves a lifestyle change in diet and sleep habits, or the use of mouth guards and breathing apparatuses to aid in keeping breathing pathways unobstructed.
Treating sleep apnoea is about clearing your body’s airways, and when figuring out how to treat it, every little bit helps, including looking at how you sleep and what you sleep on.
Take a look at how your mattress can link to obstructive sleep apnoea.
Disclaimer: This article does not provide medical advice, if you are a sleep apnoea patient or seeking sleep apnoea treatment, the best course of action is to always consult a medical professional.
Mattress and Me
We all have a personal relationship with our beds. We prefer different sleeping positions and levels of mattress firmness and comfort layers, so what might work for one person may not necessarily work for another.
Studies have shown however that a large number of sleep apnoea sufferers sleep in a supine position[1][2]. Back sleepers tend to experience this more since lying flat on your back causes the tongue, pharynx, and soft palate to block your airways so it’s preferable to lie on your side or stomach to prevent sleep apnoea.
To keep yourself from rolling onto your back while asleep, there are certain characteristics of your mattress that should help keep you in the right sleep position.
Go Firm
We recommend that for you to choose a firm or a medium-firm mattress, especially if you’re a stomach sleeper. A soft mattress or a sagging mattress can cause several issues with your sleep quality. One of these is incorrect spinal alignment when sleeping, making you toss and turn, and possibly end up in a supine position.
Given that side sleeping is the best sleeping position when you suffer from sleep apnoea, opt for mattresses that provide pressure relief on your neck, hips, and shoulders.
Make sure it isn’t too firm though. Firm mattresses can be really uncomfortable for side sleepers. Remember, apart from comfort, choosing the right firmness for your sleeping position is the key to getting a good night’s sleep.
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Get Support from Memory Foam
Try memory foam mattresses. Or at least look for a mattress that supports pressure points well. Just like the right mattress firmness for spinal support, it’s important to find one that provides cushioning for your body and enough support for proper sleep posture. It prevents back pain, by supporting your lower back and shoulder areas to keep your body from stress in the middle of the night, making you lie on your back.
Find a mattress that forms your body shape well and contours to your spine while still being firm enough to support you – and memory foam is a great option for that. Maybe it’s time for you to buy a new mattress. Ecosa won’t let you down.
Check out: King Size Mattresses, Queen Size Mattresses
Go for Adjustable Bases
Look for a mattress that works well with adjustable bed bases.
Several studies have delved into the helpful effects of head-of-bed elevation on reducing sleep apnoea episodes[1][2]. This prevents your tongue and throat muscles from obstructing your airways when you sleep compared to lying supine. If your mattress can work with adjustable bed frames, you will be able to elevate it enough to help get your body in a better position, giving you a more restful sleep.
Many studies have been done and are still being done regarding sleep apnoea. And while it’s always recommended to visit a health professional if you are experiencing this sleep disorder, you might find the link between it and your bed helpful in alleviating the problem. It can help you in picking out the best mattress for you.
You might also find that the Ecosa waterproof mattress is what you’re looking for – layers of memory foam, three different firmness level options to choose from, and fit for different bed bases. It’s hypoallergenic and its ability to prevent dust mites ensures you breathe cleaner air as you doze off. Ecosa also offers a 100-night trial period, experience it for yourself – and you’d be on your way to better sleep.
