Have you ever experienced waking up unexpectedly at night because you weren’t breathing well? If this happens repeatedly, then it might be that you have sleep apnea. This condition occurs when the airways are partially blocked. If you tend to snore at night then wake up feeling dreadful, then it is likely that you have sleep apnea. It may help if you look for the best pillows for sleep apnea to alleviate the problem.
Does a Sleep Apnea Pillow Work?
Traditional pillows aren’t exactly built to support your head and neck in a way that prevents obstruction in your airways from happening. Also, they aren’t designed to work with a CPAP mask which is important to patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea pillows, on the other hand, come in a variety of shapes, styles, and designs with one of the most important features, and that is appropriate support for your head and neck.
A pillow for sleep apnea users will be able to accommodate a CPAP mask while letting you sleep on your back or on your side even. Aside from letting you sleep in comfort, it keeps your airways free from any obstruction by keeping your head and neck in alignment. They also come in different heights and thicknesses too which means that you will be able to find one that will fit your needs perfectly.
How to Choose the Best Sleep Apnea Pillows
There are different kinds of sleep apnea pillows in the market that it may not be easy to find the right one for your needs. It is daunting, yes, but you’ll be happy to know that there are a few factors that you can use to narrow down your choices.
Types
There are four classifications of pillows that are best suited or those who have sleep apnea. If you are wondering which one will work best for you, you should consider what type is appropriate for your needs.
- CPAP Pillows.
A CPAP pillow is usually made from memory foam that offers support on your head and neck. It can also come with holes or cut-outs that allow the mask from the CPAP machine to be used easily. This will work in a way that will prevent leaks from happening. - Wedge Pillows.
There are some instances where sleep apnea can be alleviated by putting yourself in an inclined position. - Adjustable Pillows.
Adjustable pillows are those that have removable fills which is perfect for those who need additional control over the height and thickness. - Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillows.
This is somewhat similar to a CPAP pillow minus the cutouts. This will work well with those who sleep on their backs or are putting their masks a bit low. The orthopedic type of pillow is designed to help solve any sleep issues through its contouring features. This way, any aches and pains that you have been feeling in the morning will disappear.
Construction Details
Another factor that you should consider is the pillow’s construction. Normally, these pillows are made from memory foam but they can be made from something else, such as latex. The density must be between medium-firm to firm. Although it is possible that some prefer a softer pillow, they will be able to find memory foam based ones that let the head sink a little while still providing ample support.
Care and Maintenance
You should take into account the care and maintenance that the pillow needs. Usually, these products are not machine washable but you can do spot cleaning when needed. That said, it requires a good pillowcase that can protect it from dirt, dust, sweat, and other particles that may settle on the surface. You can find some that come with a good cover with a zipper for easy removable, or go buy one separately.
Cooling Features
Since most apnea pillows are made with memory foam, because of this material’s contouring features, you might want to check if it also comes with a cooling effect. Memory foam has a tendency to become warm which can make you sweat profusely unless it comes with a layer of cooling gel to help keep the temperature down.
Price
The price should be considered as well since a pillow for sleep apnea tends to be a bit pricey because of its unique design. As much as possible, do compare products and rates to find one that will fit your budget and your needs.
Warranty
It would be a good idea to look for a brand that offers a warranty and even a sleep trial for their product so you can test it out first. This is advised especially when you will be purchasing one online. It is important that you get to try it out for a few months or so, to give your body ample time to adjust to it. If it doesn’t suit your needs or if it doesn’t alleviate your snoring and blocked airways, you can return the item.
A Review of Sleep Apnea Pillows
Sleep apnea pillows number in the dozen and I feel that you might become overwhelmed with the options laid out before you. I did some research too on several pillows and so far, these are the ones that appear promising.
Relax Home Life 7.5 Inch Bed Wedge Pillow
The wedge pillow by Relax Home Life is designed to address different health and sleep issues such as GERD, post nasal drip, snoring, headaches, and even back and neck pain just to name a few. This triangle-shaped pillow contains 1.5 inches of memory foam on the upper layer to help add comfort and support to its user. It has a firm base to prevent it from moving or buckling under your weight. You can even use it with one of your pillows too if you want to put your back on an incline.
What else is there to like about this product? Well, it is covered with bamboo viscose cover that is machine washable, hypoallergenic, and dust mite resistant too. This level of comfort is unique to it which means that this is worth experiencing especially if you have some trouble sleeping because of your snoring. The cover is breathable which helps improve the overall quality of your rest.
Pros:
- Can be used to alleviate symptoms of GERD, snoring, headaches, back pain, and even leg pain.
- A memory foam layer lets you rest on a comfortable surface.
- Bamboo viscose cover is breathable, machine washable, and hypoallergenic.
Cons:
- Some users find it uncomfortable to sleep on.
- It has a strong chemical smell which is a turnoff.
- It doesn’t offer much support for the back.
Royal Therapy Queen Memory Foam Pillow
Adjustable pillows can be helpful to those who are suffering from sleep apnea as it can elevate the head to allow the airways to be free from any blockages. The Royal Therapy is a luxurious memory foam pillow that is designed to contour to your body’s shape for comfort and support. Removing the middle layer of the pillow transforms it into one that will suit all kinds of sleeping positions. Also, itis one of the best cervical pillows because it helps ease the pressure off the heavier parts of your head to give you that feeling of resting on a cloud.
It promotes better sleep quality since it puts the head as well as the neck in the right alignment to minimize the constant aches and pains that you are enduring. That is why, if you find yourself in need of a pillow that can help with your sleep apnea, this may be a good option for you. The bamboo cover is hypoallergenic, breathable, and soft so you don’t have to worry about sleeping hot. It does have a unique ability to form itself around your shape then returning back to its proper form once you get up from the bed.
Pros:
- Contours around your body to give comfort and support.
- The middle layer can be removed to make the pillow appropriate for all types of sleepers.
- The bamboo cover is breathable, soft and resistant to dust mites and other allergens.
Cons:
- One side of the pillow is slanted which means that your head can roll easily from side to side.
- It is not firm enough for some customers.
- It may not work well with larger people.
InteVision Foam Bed Wedge Pillow
For those who prefer to use wedge pillows, try InteVision’s Foam Wedge Pillow. It comes with two layers that add to its unique look. There is a 2-inch layer of memory foam on the top of the wedge pillow while the base is made from firm foam for support. What’s important about this pillow is that it is designed to alleviate a few sleep problems such as sleep apnea, acid reflux, and even allergies just to name a few. This is the perfect companion when you just had surgery because, in an inclined position, there will be less pain in your lower back.
InteVision’s wedge pillow is enclosed in a machine-washable, high quality bamboo cover which allows air to pass through. Combine this with memory foam and you won’t have any issues with sleeping hot at night. This is because there is no heat trapped within the pillow. If you are having difficulty resting because of your sleep apnea, sleeping on an incline may just help give you the relief that you are looking for.
Pros:
- A layer of memory foam on top lets you rest comfortably.
- It can alleviate the symptoms of apnea, GERD, and other sleep issues.
- It comes with a bamboo cover that offers breathability and comfort.
Cons:
- Some users find themselves slipping to the bottom of the pillow.
- It doesn’t let you roll to your side.
- The smell is too strong and doesn’t dissipate quickly.
Coisum Back Sleeper Cervical Pillow
If you are looking for a medium hard pillow to sleep on, Coisum Back Sleeper Cervical Pillow has got you covered. This product is made from 60 high quality dense memory foam that provides enough firmness to prevent your neck and head from getting misaligned. This is actually a good remedy for those who experience neck and shoulder pains in the morning because of their traditional pillow. The hole in the middle is to support the back of your skull. And although this is designed for back sleepers, side sleepers will still be able to use it. Just make sure that you sleep on one of the wings of the pillow so that the cutout underneath can support your shoulder and your neck.
Another feature that this pillow comes with is that sides have different contour heights so you will be able to pick one that will fit your needs. It has a breathable and removable cover too so you can care and maintain your pillow without any difficulties. You don’t have to worry about any chemical components because this product doesn’t have any. You can find some reprieve from your incessant snoring with this one especially when it is used correctly.
Pros:
- Medium-hard pillow offers adequate support to the head and even the neck to minimize any obstructions in the airways.
- The head is fully supported thanks to the hole in the middle of the pillow that removes the pressure on the back of the skull.
- Breathable cover that lets heat dissipate so you won’t wake up sweating too much.
Cons:
- One user found it to be too firm for their taste.
- Several users complained of having neck pain after a few days of use.
- The foam used loses its support after a year of use.
Silverback Wedge Pillow – 7.5″ Wedge Pillow
Wedge pillows do appear to help with reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea and other sleep problems. Silverback’s wedge pillow is a combination of 5.5″ of base foam plus 2″ of memory foam on top. This design lets you sleep in a more comfortable position while solving sleep problems like apnea. This wedge pillow helps eliminate the usual aches and pains that you get in the morning by easing the pressure from the pressure points on your body.
You will be happy to know that this wedge pillow is protected by a bamboo cover that not only helps with air circulation but it also prevents you from sleeping hot. It is hypoallergenic meaning that it can repel any unwanted pollens, dirt, dust mite, and others. You can even mix it with another pillow for that added leverage or comfort. Sleeping in an incline does help keep your airways open thus alleviating your sleep apnea and even GERD.
Pros:
- The combination of memory foam and sturdy base foam creates the perfect pillow to minimize sleep apnea.
- Alleviates constant body aches and pains in the morning.
- Bamboo cover keeps your pillow cool, comfy, and free from allergens.
Cons:
- A user broke out in rashes when they used the pillow for the first time.
- It may not work well with those who have hip problems.
- Prolonged use may lead to back pain.
Conclusion
Which of these pillows for sleep apnea is the best? I would go with the Royal Therapy Queen memory foam pillow. What made it a good choice for me is the fact that it is adjustable. The memory foam fill is effective in following the shape of your body which means that there is enough give to it that lets you sink comfortably. This pillow can work for all kinds of sleepers too. You just need to remove the middle layer and that’s it! Try these products and see which one of these apnea pillows did a good job.
