Does Sleeping in a Recliner Help with Sleep Apnea?

Have you been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? If so, your condition may cause continual disruptions in your breathing that make it difficult or even impossible to get enough high-quality sleep each night! Certainly, professional sleep apnea treatment can help. You may also find it beneficial to supplement your treatment with some minor lifestyle changes. For example, you could try sleeping in a recliner. How might that prove helpful? This blog post explains.

Benefits of Sleeping in a Recliner

Most recliners can lean back rather far, but they do not lie completely flat. That is a good thing because sleeping at a slight incline can have at least two significant benefits for sleep:

• Improved breathing. OSA occurs when tissues in the upper airway block the flow of oxygen. When you sleep flat on your back, gravity is not working in your favor. Those tissues may be more likely to collapse and disrupt your breathing. In contrast, if you sleep at a 30- to 60-degree incline, gravity can start to work in your favor. You may experience fewer sleep apnea episodes and wake up feeling more energized and refreshed.
• Reduced GERD. Roughly 60% of people with OSA also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known simply as acid reflux. Sleeping at a slight incline could reduce the severity of your GERD.

Of course, sleeping in a recliner is not the only way to enjoy the above benefits. Using a bed wedge or adjustable mattress may have similar effects.

Do Not Neglect Professional Treatment

Certainly, adjusting your nightly sleep position may have positive effects on your OSA symptoms. However, a recliner is not a substitute for professional treatment. To enjoy truly high-quality rest, you may need an oral sleep appliance, which can keep your airway open regardless of the position in which you are sleeping. It can be especially valuable when you are away from home and do not have access to your recliner.

It is also important to keep in mind that professional treatment comes with the support of a team of sleep experts. Via personalized advice and careful monitoring, they can help you manage your sleep disorder and protect your overall health.

Sleeping in a recliner is a minor change that could have big benefits! Why not try it out to see if you notice improvements in your nightly rest?

Meet the Practice

Dr. Ivan Paskalev is an experienced dentist and a proud member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He proudly provides custom oral appliances to help sleep apnea patients breathe better, sleep better, and improve their overall quality of life. If you would like to speak with him and our team about how you can conquer your OSA, contact our Eugene office at 541-246-8284.