Pressure needs of side vs back sleeping

track · Post by **track** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 10:24 am

I have heard people say at their sleep test they were told to sleep on their back. Anybody have any numbers on how much more pressure was required to deal with their apnea when on the back vs the side?

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:20 am

I'd be curious about that too cause I've always been a side sleeper but on cpap I'm more or less forced to sleep on my back, and the pressure does feel different to me on my side vs. my back.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:47 pm

Everyone is different but in general you need less pressure for side than for back sleeping.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 1:04 pm

studies show you have fewer events sleeping on your side vs supine. On your back it is easier for gravity to allow your tongue to fall into the back of your throat. It is also why most UPPP surgery fails, all that does is make for a larger hole for your tongue to land into.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:41 pm

Everyone is different but in general you need less pressure for side than for back sleeping.

I know...was wondering if anyone had talked to a sleep tech about it and what they said about the different pressure requirements.

I have a higher AHI and more AIs at a pressure of 14-17 on my back than I do at 10-14 on my side. Of course I have more stomach air issues at 9-13 on my side than I do at 13-17 on my back.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 8:25 pm

Anonymous wrote:
Everyone is different but in general you need less pressure for side than for back sleeping.
I know...was wondering if anyone had talked to a sleep tech about it and what they said about the different pressure requirements.

I have a higher AHI and more AIs at a pressure of 14-17 on my back than I do at 10-14 on my side. Of course I have more stomach air issues at 9-13 on my side than I do at 13-17 on my back.

Maybe it is harder to swallow air if your airway is stuck closed producing the AIs

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 10:53 pm

Dead people don't swallow air.....swallowing air is a sign you are still alive.

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:23 pm

Anonymous wrote:Dead people don't swallow air.

That would explain alot!

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:34 pm

track wrote:I have heard people say at their sleep test they were told to sleep on their back. Anybody have any numbers on how much more pressure was required to deal with their apnea when on the back vs the side?

In my sleep study, I was told to sleep in whatever position is normal for me (which is on my side).
For a while, I was having trouble with my neck, which was aggravated by the bulky forehead piece of the UMFF.
To alleviate this, I started sleeping on my back, and I was not getting as good therapy as on my side.
I told the sleep doc, and he ordered my pressure to be raised by three cm's.
I backed it down one and a half cm's from his recommendation, and all is well again.

track · Post by **track** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:38 pm

thanks vader....I am going to jump my machine up 3 cm and sleep on my back tonight and see what the results are?

track · Post by **track** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:43 pm

That would explain alot

Glad you found that informative. Here is another diddy....It's a lot not alot....but dead people don't care which one you use.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:07 am

My airway is definitely reduced when on my back. It must really reduce when I'm actually asleep as my pressure was at 15 (my max setting) one night and I woke up finding myself on my back with an airplane blowing on my face. : )

When sleeping on my side as I usually do, my numbers are 6-8 with my bed inclined and 9 with the bed almost flat. I haven't tried flat since being on CPAP for a month.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:09 am

Snoredog wrote:studies show you have fewer events sleeping on your side vs supine. On your back it is easier for gravity to allow your tongue to fall into the back of your throat. It is also why most UPPP surgery fails, all that does is make for a larger hole for your tongue to land into.

Nice pics!

My airway would be the lower one

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:24 am

track wrote:thanks vader....I am going to jump my machine up 3 cm and sleep on my back tonight and see what the results are?

Hope that helps you out.
I'll be interested in seeing what the results are for you.

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:24 am

track wrote:
That would explain alot
Glad you found that informative. Here is another diddy....It's a lot not alot....but dead people don't care which one you use.

Can't help it! I got a strange sense of humor!

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger

Pressure needs of side vs back sleeping

Pressure needs of side vs back sleeping

Re: Pressure needs of side vs back sleeping