Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that plagues many adults, as many as 1 in 4 according to recent studies. This is a sleep disorder that can do more than just leave you feeling more tired than when you went to bed, it can seriously disrupt your quality of life in the long run.
Because it is such a big problem, there are a lot of products out there designed to help those affected by it to sleep better. Often the most effective product is a specially designed pillow. So, out of all the pillows available right now, which is best for sleep apnea?
In this article, we’re going to take a look at a few different options while breaking down exactly why they’re each rated so well. We’ll also provide some answers to a few frequently asked questions to help you know which pillow is best for your needs and budget!
Keep reading to learn more about these pillows that can help to relieve discomfort and exhaustion from sleep apnea!
How We Confirmed
Many adults are affected by sleep apnea and don't even realize it. If you're familiar with how this disorder can be tough to manage, then you'll likely be shocked to learn that often a pillow is all it takes to fix the problem! In fact, the wrong kind of pillow may actually make symptoms worse.
So, how do you find the right pillow for obstructive sleep apnea? After perusing reviews on Amazon for the best user-rated pillows for sleep apnea, we’ve come up with 3 different pillows for you to choose from. Each of them comes highly rated and is made with quality in mind, so you can be sure any of them are worth the cost. We want you or your loved one to be able to finally get a good night’s sleep, so we made sure to only include the best pillows for sleep apnea on our list.
Best Pillows for Sleep Apnea
Why We Love It
Are you tired of waking up feeling more tired than you were when you went to sleep the night before?
With the Kolbs Bed Wedge Pillow, you’ll finally be able to get the restful sleep you need. This super comfortable pillow isn’t just useful for helping to ease the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, it’s also fashionable.
The pillowcase is designed in luxurious and stylish jacquard, so your bedroom will look chic instead of like a hospital room.
The Kolbs pillow comes in two different heights including a 7.5-inch height and a 12-inch height, so you can choose the height that works best for you and your sleep apnea. It’s also one of the more budget-friendly options among the best pillows for sleep apnea, making it perfect for sleep apnea sufferers who don’t want to spend a lot.
What We Noticed
As for what the Kolbs pillow does, the manufacturer boasts its ability to resolve or ease symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, and snoring. With a special support structure, this wedge pillow is designed specifically to address the most common symptoms of sleep apnea to help you have a more comfortable sleep. It’s machine washable, which is hugely convenient when you consider that some memory foam pillows are not.
This apnea pillow has a 1.5-inch top layer of memory foam to help you feel as comfortable as possible while sleeping and it's constructed with a high-density medical grade foam in its wedge core supports. It’s important to note that only one pillow comes in each pack, so don’t expect to get a pair of Kolbs pillows.
Some customers have complained of a strong chemical smell when they first opened the pillow’s package, however this normally dissipates after a few hours.
Why We Love It
The IKSTAR CPAP Pillow is another highly rated pillow designed specifically for sleep apnea sufferers. It is a great option for any sleeping position, but especially for side and back sleepers. Besides being more versatile for different kinds of sleepers, this memory foam pillow has a contoured shape to keep your head, neck, and spine aligned while you sleep. Due to the memory foam construction, this pillow for sleep apnea conforms to your body while allowing you to sleep comfortably.
What We Noticed
This pillow type is special because it is made to accommodate CPAP masks, which many sufferers have to use while they sleep. It has a unique shape with special divots and indentations to accommodate CPAP face masks. This design not only lightens the pressure on your face from the mask but also decreases air leaks--which in turn leads to a better night's sleep.
The IKSTAR CPAP pillow comes with a 100 night free trial. So, if it doesn't work well for your needs or you just don't like it, you can send it back for a full refund within this time frame. It also comes with a 36-month warranty for added peace of mind.
A special breathable pillowcase absorbs heat and allows cool, fresh air to flow through easily, keeping your pillow at an ideal temperature. For machine-washing, it's simple to remove.
Why We Love It
The EnduriMed Memory Foam CPAP Pillow is another great option for curbing your apnea symptoms, working to reduce pressure and leaks from the mask if you use a CPAP machine, while allowing for maximum comfort while sleeping. This pillow’s patented design will help you wake up feeling refreshed and energized instead of exhausted!
EduriMed Memory Foam pillows are adjustable pillows. They come with a foam insert that can be removed to adjust the pillow’s height. If the pillow seems too thick, you simply remove the foam insert and you’ll have a thinner pillow, and vice versa.
With a new updated design that uses foam that is even softer than before, this pillow is perfect for any sleep position! We know you'll be excited to get the best sleep of your life.
What We Noticed
The manufacturer thought of everything to help you get quality sleep. Specially designed gaps on the side of the pillow allow for your mask to rest there easily without being pushed up or knocked loose. You won’t have to worry about air mask leaks or other common issues when sleeping with a CPAP mask.
Finally, EnduriMed is a one size fits all sleep apnea pillow, so you won’t need to worry about which size pillow will work best for you, thanks to the handy foam insert to adjust the pillow’s height to provide you with the best sleep position for you.
Pillows for Sleep Apnea FAQs
We understand there’s a lot to consider when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, especially if sleep apnea is getting in your way. If you've been living with this common sleep disorder, you probably have a lot of questions about various aspects of pillows to help with positional therapy and sleep quality. Luckily, we’re here to help.
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to enable you to gain a greater understanding of how these pillows can help and what their limitations might be, and which one may work best for you.
Can pillows cause sleep apnea?
There is conflicting evidence on whether pillows can cause sleep apnea. Some research suggests that pillows may contribute to sleep apnea by causing the tongue and soft palate to collapse into the throat during sleep. Others argue that pillows are unlikely to play a role in sleep apnea, since the condition is typically associated with anatomical abnormalities, such as a large jaw or narrow airway. Ultimately, more research is needed to determine whether pillows can definitively cause sleep apnea. However, if you suspect that your pillow may be contributing to your sleep apnea, you can try sleeping with a special pillow designed to keep the tongue and soft palate from collapsing into the throat. You should also consult with a Sleep Specialist to discuss other possible causes and treatments for your sleep apnea.
Does head elevation help to relieve sleep apnea symptoms?
Recent studies have shown that for many people with sleep apnea, sleeping with their head elevated has actually reduced many of their symptoms and has allowed them to get a more restful night’s sleep. A wedge pillow is the best type of sleep apnea pillow for elevated sleep.
Will sleeping with no pillow help sleep apnea?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone's sleep apnea is different. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that sleeping without a pillow may help some people with mild sleep apnea. Sleeping without a pillow can help keep the airway open and prevent obstructions. For people with more severe sleep apnea, however, sleeping without a pillow may not be enough to improve breathing and may even make the condition worse. If you have sleep apnea, it's best to talk to your doctor about the best way to treat it.
Does a sleep apnea pillow make a difference?
While many people with apnea have found that using a sleep apnea pillow helps their symptoms, not everyone has found the same results. Finding the right sleep apnea pillow for you can take some time and may be different for everyone.
Do wedge pillows really help with sleep apnea?
Wedge pillows are one of the easiest ways to achieve head elevation while sleeping, and as we mentioned earlier, that elevation can help to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Another way to achieve head elevation while sleeping is to use an adjustable bed.
Who can I talk to for help with sleep apnea?
It's best to talk to your doctor. Sleep apnea can be a serious sleep disorder that requires treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
There are several ways to treat sleep apnea, including lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, and surgery. Treatment depends on the severity of your sleep apnea and how it affects your daily life. Your doctor can help you find the best treatment for you.
Are sleep apnea pillows safe to use?
There have been no studies to indicate that any pillows used for apnea have caused harm to people who use them while sleeping. It’s important to note that not every brand of sleep apnea pillow has been tested like this, so it’s safest to use only the highest-rated products.
What material are sleep apnea pillows made from?
The material each pillow is made from can vary between brands, but it’s usually some kind of memory foam or similar material. This allows for maximum support while still giving you a comfortable place to rest your head.
How long do sleep apnea pillows last?
This can vary, but many of the highest-rated pillows come with a warranty plan. Should your pillow get damaged or lost, you’ll be able to replace it for free while it’s under warranty. However, you should always check if a brand offers a warranty before you buy, as some don’t.
How do sleep apnea pillows work?
These pillows generally work by allowing you to sleep with a CPAP mask on without worry about mask pressure or air leaks. This is often possible because of the pillow shape.
If you don’t sleep with a mask, then a wedge-type pillow will help to elevate and support you while you sleep.
Our Confirmed Catch
If your sleep apnea is getting in the way of a good night’s sleep, a sleep apnea pillow could be the solution. For many people who suffer from the effects of sleep apnea, these pillows have made all the difference in achieving a high quality of rest at night.
We hope you found this brief article helpful in your search for a way to treat sleep apnea symptoms. We chose these three foam pillows because they were each the highest rated of their kind on Amazon by verified purchasers.
We hope you are able to find your next best pillow for the most restful sleep of your life!
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