Sleep apnea is sometimes seen as niche and unimportant, but the fact is that around 18 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from this condition. While many of these people use a CPAP or oral appliance to mitigate their symptoms, far more of them do what they can to get good sleep via home remedies and other methods.

One trick patients often mention is sleeping with their head elevated, like in a recliner. But does this actually work? Here’s what the science says.

Can Sleeping in a Recliner Help with My Sleep Apnea?

The phrase “home remedy” doesn’t always inspire confidence, but if recent studies are to be believed, there’s some merit to that idea. One study published in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that among 52 observed subjects who slept with their head elevated to a 7.5 degree angle, obstructive sleep apnea symptoms were up to 30 percent less severe.

Why Does this Happen?

The most common form of sleep apnea is “obstructive,” which is to say that it’s caused by soft tissues in the mouth moving to block the airways during sleep. This happens in part because of the soft palate, which sits below the nose and above the mouth.

The further back you tip your head as you sleep, the further this soft palate falls and the closer it gets to obstructing the airways. By elevating the head slightly, it’s possible to mitigate this issue to some extent.

Looking For More Dramatic Improvements?

While sleeping in a recliner might be somewhat helpful for dealing with your sleep apnea, it won’t cure you of the condition. If you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep consistently, your best move is to call a sleep dentist or sleep doctor. They can screen you for sleep apnea and schedule a sleep study to diagnose you.

Once diagnosed, you can take advantage of any number of treatments. CPAP machines are incredibly effective at opening the airways and treating sleep apnea. You can also talk to a dentist about an oral appliance, a more comfortable alternative that can be useful in helping you breathe easily.

About the Author

Dr. James Olsen has a real and abiding passion for learning, and it’s always rewarding for him to get to pass his extensive knowledge of dentistry on to his patients. When he helps people truly sleep soundly, it makes all his hard work in accumulating dental knowledge worth it. Dr. Olsen received his dental degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and completes around 100 hours of continuing education each year to remain at the top of his field. If you have any questions about sleep apnea, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (734) 996-0200.