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Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
#1
Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
Just realized something. When I did my sleep study I spent most of the time (62%) supine, the rest on my left side. Thing is, in my own bed I never ever sleep on my back, usually my right side.

I have yet to sleep through the night with my mask on. It will be interesting to see how I do on the Sleepyhead software and if I really do need the ultra-high pressures I've been prescribed.
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#2
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
It is a matter of gravity. When you lay on your back, gravity helps the throat tissue to fall back and block the airway. Sleeping on your side or stomach can help decrease it.

And, how do you know you sleep more on your side at home? Unless someone is sitting there watching you all night or you you record it, how do you know?

I'm not being a smart aleck, honest. But just because you wake up on your side does not mean you stayed there.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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#3
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
(07-23-2013, 03:36 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: It is a matter of gravity. When you lay on your back, gravity helps the throat tissue to fall back and block the airway. Sleeping on your side or stomach can help decrease it.

And, how do you know you sleep more on your side at home? Unless someone is sitting there watching you all night or you you record it, how do you know?

I'm not being a smart aleck, honest. But just because you wake up on your side does not mean you stayed there.

You're right, I assume I stay in the position I start out in.
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#4
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
Yes. O yes.
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#5
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
(07-23-2013, 10:12 PM)OMyMyOHellYes Wrote: Yes. O yes.
OMyMyOHellYes?
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#6
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
(07-23-2013, 10:17 PM)Paptillian Wrote:
(07-23-2013, 10:12 PM)OMyMyOHellYes Wrote: Yes. O yes.
OMyMyOHellYes?

Absolutely, yes.

I wear a tennis ball in a pocket sewn on the back of a moderately snug teeshirt, right between the shoulder blades, to make sure I do not roll on my back while asleep. (Teeshirt needs to be fairly snug so the tennis ball will not droop out of place and cause discomfort by managing to touch the bed when you are on your side.)

Our pressure needs are often MUCH higher when sleeping on our back, so if we can make sure we will stay off our back, our pressure can be set lower. But we should be looking at our data to see how often obstructive apneas or hypopneas are occurring.

Take care,
--- Vaughn
The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies.  Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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#7
RE: Are OSA's more frequent/worse when sleeping on your back?
(07-23-2013, 01:24 PM)ellen1159 Wrote: Just realized something. When I did my sleep study I spent most of the time (62%) supine, the rest on my left side. Thing is, in my own bed I never ever sleep on my back, usually my right side.

I have yet to sleep through the night with my mask on. It will be interesting to see how I do on the Sleepyhead software and if I really do need the ultra-high pressures I've been prescribed.

I bought my own pulse oximeter because my numbers range all over the map. I have maybe 50 recordings saved and staying off my back is HUGE in my case. Problem is, that is easier said than done for me. I am fine with a jaw appliance, no CPAP if I can stay off my back. On my back, not so good at all. As others have pointed out, you really don't know what position you sleep at at home unless you have an observer.

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