Why would a stomach sleeper need cpap?

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:28 pm

If the airway collapses when you lie down, how does it collapse if you're on your stomach? I thought it fell backwards when you lied down on your back.
Wouldn't sleeping on your stomach keep it open?
Just curious.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:34 pm

If only it were that easy then we could all just roll on our tummies to sleep. I usually sleep on my side and due to shoulder pain rolled onto my tummy to sleep the last couple of nights. I don't the "how", but I know you do get apneas on your tummy as my software indicated quite a number of them. Maybe someone else can address the "why?" AND "how?" factor.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:27 pm

Your airway simply collapses. Just does it more in certain positions, like on your back.

split_city · Post by **split_city** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:30 pm

Despite what Snoredog might have you believe, the airway can collapse no matter what position you are in. The airway is a "floppy" tube so the back of it can also flop forwards if you sleep on your stomach.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:55 pm

Even on my stomach my head is turned to the side so maybe that does something to the airway since it isn't straight.

Wrenna · Post by **Wrenna** » Fri May 02, 2008 10:24 pm

Don't know, but I do know I still snore like a freight train on my stomach... and on my side... and on my back...
I think the positional thing only helps some people, not everyone.

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:57 am

Thanks everyone. I was hoping to try tummy sleeping instead od cpap, but I guess not.

mmsiciliana · Post by **mmsiciliana** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:20 pm

[quote="jomac30"]Thanks everyone. I was hoping to try tummy sleeping instead od cpap, but I guess not.

lmmo · Post by **lmmo** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:47 pm

My REM AHI on my stomach during my diagnostic PSG was 55/hr
Lisa