Sleep position

[Blumnm520]

Been using Resmed 10 Autosense for about a month. Using p10 for her pillows. My AHI’s have been averaging around 2 (according to MyAir). Last night, it jumped to 10. I usually sleep on my right side, but last night I seemed to sleep on my back most of the night. Does sleep position affect AHI?

[LSAT]

You usually would require a little more pressure when you are on your back, but your autoset should compensate and make the increase.

[Julie]

I think Lsat's being conservative (probably a good idea tho'), because I think position CAN make a big difference to sleeping depending on your situation, results, etc.

Back sleeping usually provokes many more apneas than side sleeping and many people go to great lengths to keep from flipping when asleep - foam wedges behind them, backpks stuffed with towels, etc. etc, so if you find it makes a difference, consider some of the tricks and keep an eye on things with Oscar to see how they go.

[zonker]

Does sleep position affect AHI?

welcome to the zoo!

the short answer is yes. due to the way the forum is setup, you're going to see my reply before the others.

but both lsat and julie are correct. if your therapy is optimized, sleeping position won't matter. that said, sleeping on your back WILL impact your ahi.

why? because your tongue will slid down your throat when sleeping on your back. blocking your airway makes it harder to breath and thus higher ahi.

the same thing happens to me. so why don't i "optimize" my therapy, fer cryin' out loud? because i'm pretty close to the maximum pressure i can get from my machine. to go higher, i'd have to by a more expensive machine to allow my pressure to be raised. and as everyone here knows, i'm way to cheap for that! (paging dogslobber)

this doesn't mean that's the case for YOU. you have shown that sleeping on your side has a positive impact on your ahi. but if you want to sleep in all positions, you'll have to do some adjusting. it's possible that by adjusting your pressure, all will be well.

if you want to, download the free software, oscar. then post the resulting charts here in the forum for peer review. you'll get lots of help and guidance.

whatever you do, good luck!

[mols001]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

Been using Resmed 10 Autosense for about a month. Using p10 for her pillows. My AHI’s have been averaging around 2 (according to MyAir). Last night, it jumped to 10. I usually sleep on my right side, but last night I seemed to sleep on my back most of the night. Does sleep position affect AHI?

[palerider]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

eh, basically a myth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY90D6YhUI&t=11m40s

[zonker]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

you know, this is one of the things i seem to remember reading here on the forum when i joined back in 2015. then never heard much of since.

seems to me it based off of doctor's recommendation for pregnant mothers???

[zonker]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

eh, basically a myth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY90D6YhUI&t=16m11s

erm, did you mean to link to a kidney stone video?

cuz i ain't watching THAT.

[palerider]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

eh, basically a myth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY90D6YhUI&t=16m11s

erm, did you mean to link to a kidney stone video?

cuz i ain't watching THAT.

I fixed the time on the link, it's right after the "will gum stay in your body for 7 years" segment.

[zonker]

I have heard that sleeping on your left side is better overall for your health.
It is recommended especially if you have acid-reflux issues and better for your heart and other organs.
Sleeping on your left side puts less pressure on your heart and other organs.

eh, basically a myth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FY90D6YhUI&t=16m11s

erm, did you mean to link to a kidney stone video?

cuz i ain't watching THAT.

I fixed the time on the link, it's right after the "will gum stay in your body for 7 years" segment.

ta, matey.

[Miss Emerita]

If you're back-sleeping, higher pressure can stent your airway open if the problem is with the tissues lining it, but if your tongue is sliding back and blocking your airway, no amount of pressure will budge your tongue.