Get off my back!

[roster]

... and get off your back!

World's Leading Health Media Promotes Disinformation on Best Sleeping Positions
....

It was found that sleeping on one's back was the WORST sleeping posture for: - sleep apnea; - back pain in pregnancy; - coughing attacks; - irregular or periodic breathing; - asthma; - health of pregnant women; - sleep paralysis and terrifying hallucinations; - nocturnal asthma; - health of geriatric inpatients; - pulmonary tuberculosis treated by thoracoplasty; - asthma and allergies; - snoring, hypopneas and apneas; - chronic respiratory insufficiency; - heart failure with sleep apnea; - bruxism and clenching episodes; and - stroke in elderly patients.

There are no medical publications that found any advantages of supine sleep for adults with any health concern or chronic disorder.

Authors of four published research articles found the lowest measured blood oxygenation for sleeping on one's back in comparison with any other sleep posture. Meanwhile, low body oxygenation is the critical factor that worsens any chronic disorder and undermines general health and wellbeing.

....

Full article: http://www.pressrelease365.com/pr/healt ... l-4457.htm

[Hawthorne]

Be that as it may, there ARE people (like myself) who have no choice but to sleep on their back. In my case, if I want to sleep at all, it must be on my back. My arthritis pain keeps me awake all night if I try sleeping on my side.

I've been sleeping on my back for 16 years. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 8 years ago and had to continue to sleep on my back.

My AHI, with a narrow auto setting is almost always below 2 (it was even lower with the M Series than my current System One - both autos set at a narrow range). My 90% pressure is 11 to 12 cm. My original tiration ( 8 years ago) put me at a straight cpap setting of 10 cm.

I have excellent blood pressure, the lungs of a teenager (I am told when I have my yearly chest Xray) and no heart problems (according to my yearly EKG). In fact, I have no other health issues except Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sleep Apnea. I hate to think what condition I would be in if I was not sleeping at all because back sleeping is supposed to be so bad for you with sleep apnea. By the way, I am now 71 years old.

I don't like to see these articles, designed to frightened people who back sleep. There are exceptional circumstances. I am just thankful to be able to sleep!!!! People should sleep in a position that is comfortable and allows them a good sleep - back, side, stomach or a combination. If I'm sleeping well and showing good numbers, I don't care what is said about back sleeping but I don't like new cpap users to be terrified that something very bad will happen if they sleep on their back, by choice or of necessity.

I do agree that people diagnosed with sleep apnea should probably try not to sleep on their back but if it turns out, as in my case, that back sleeping is the only way then so be it!

To sleep or not to sleep - THAT is the only question for me when to comes to my sleeping position!

[roster]

You and many other members are successful with backsleeping because your breathing is assisted by CPAP. The article is not addressing such cases.

It is a good article to get people's attention and allow them to do something which may improve their health and longevity. I recommend avoiding backsleeping to all my friends. Of course, I recommend SDB screening for any with symptoms.

[Hawthorne]

I don't think that my breathing is "assisted by cpap"in that sense. It is not a ventilator.

My airway is kept open by the cpap so that I don't have apnea events while I am sleeping - just like anyone else with sleep apnea, whether they sleep on their backs or not.

The article may not be addressing "cases like mine". I would have said it was talking about everyone as I read the excerpt you posted. Yoru excerpt may well have been out of context. I did not read the whole article.

I just don't think articles or excerpts of articles like this should be posted without some comment about exceptions so responded.

[Bons]

I guess I'm again the exception of the rule. During my latest titration study, when I awoke in the middle of the night, the tech told me to try going back to sleep on my back because when I'd been in that position I'd had no central apnea's, but whenever I was on my side I'd have several. Didn't have any obstructive apneas on my back and only a couple on my side (at least the dang machine was accomplishing something) - 'cept when I groaned a few obscenities at the AVS it registered as an obstuction.

[roster]

H., I stand by the section I selected to quote. It is not taken out of context. It provides facts and an excellent recommendation to the general population.

The link to the full article is included. I certainly recommend reading the full article for reinforcement of the facts in the quote.

If the general population would adopt the practice of avoiding backsleeping, there is no doubt that the general population would see a significant improvement in health and longevity. I am pushing this on my adult children, my wife, and anyone else who will listen.

Have you tried sleeping on your tummy in the Falcon position? I have some aches and pains, though not significant arthritis, and have found the Falcon position to be a most comfortable position for dealing with the pains.

[roster]

I guess I'm again the exception of the rule. During my latest titration study, when I awoke in the middle of the night, the tech told me to try going back to sleep on my back because when I'd been in that position I'd had no central apnea's, but whenever I was on my side I'd have several. Didn't have any obstructive apneas on my back and only a couple on my side (at least the dang machine was accomplishing something) - 'cept when I groaned a few obscenities at the AVS it registered as an obstuction.

I don't discuss central apnea because I know little about it. However, I will question whether a few minutes or hours observation in a sleep lab by a sleep tech is enough evidence to conclude your central apnea will be less severe on the back as compared to the side.

You might want to look at some of the research, such as "Lateral sleeping position reduces severity of central sleep apnea / Cheyne-Stokes respiration", http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16944673 .

[elena88]

that falcon position is a sure a boob squisher for the gals!

ouch!!!!

[Hawthorne]

Regarding the Falcon position - I can barely get onto my stomach let alone sleep that way. Again, my arthritis is the prohibiting factor here. I can get onto my side(s) but cannot sleep that way because of painful shoulders, knees and hips.

Anyway, I am just pointing out that there are no "absolutes" in this or probably in anything else in life. Bons may be another exception, for a different reason.

We do what we have to do.