We all have our favorite sleeping position, whether it is curled up on your side in a fetal position, lying on your stomach, or draped over a body pillow. For many people who suffer chronic sleep issues, choosing the right sleeping position can help you have a better night’s sleep. Sleep Apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.

Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by complete or partial obstructions of the upper airway. It is caused by repetitive episodes of shallow or paused breathing during sleep.

Many people who suffer from sleep apnea experience insomnia, snoring, sleep deprivation, nightmares, and exhaustion. If you have obstructive sleep apnea you may be wondering whether sleeping positions matter when it comes to having or treating sleep apnea. Believe it not, sleeping positions have a big influence on how well we sleep.

Who can sleep when they’re not comfortable? Body position plays an important role during sleep and can often make the difference between having a good night’s sleep or not. For individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) wonder which sleeping position helps with shallow or paused breathing during sleep.

Even for those who suffer from different variations from sleep apnea, the position is still important. So you may be wondering which sleeping position is the best: side vs back?

Sleeping on your side

Whether they’re curling up in a comfy but cozy fetal position or lying straight on their side, sleep doctors and experts recommend this position for anyone who suffers from OSA. We encourage sleeping on the left side, for those who are pregnant because it improves circulation to the heart, which benefits both the mother and baby. For the individuals who are not pregnant sleeping on your side can also ease heartburn and acid reflux. This position makes it easier for people who have these conditions to doze off.

Did you know that sleeping on your side position is used by 66 percent of adults, according to sleep studies? Sleeping on your side in a semi-fetal, not a full fetal position is regarded as the best position for those who suffer from sleep apnea. This position is the most rejuvenating sleep position. Sleeping on your side is a great benefit in improving digestion and blood flow.

Sleeping on your back

Sleeping on your back might help you wake up feeling much more refresh than usual. Sleeping on your back will help treat back and neck pain. How is lying on your back helpful for those who have sleep apnea? When you lay on your back your upper airway is the lest stable, according to studies.

Sleeping on your back is closely linked to sleep apnea. When we sleep on our backs, the gravity forces the base of the tongue to collapse into the airway. This causes shallow breathing and creates not so pleasant snoring noises that keep you, your bed partner and even neighbors up at night. Sleeping on your back can make snoring more severe.

Home Sleeping Testing

Sleeping position is very important for those who suffer from sleep issues. So let VirtuOx help you make an accurate diagnosis of your sleep apnea by providing at home sleep test. Many people find it a challenge to sleep in new places, whether it is on the floor, air mattress, or on a couch.

Some people find it uneasy and difficult to sleep being covered in electrodes with a doctor, analyst or someone watching from the next room. We will make sure your routine before bed is not disturbed. With justs sensor on your nose and hooked to your finger, a small device on a belt around your chest, VirtuOx can tell if you have sleep apnea.

No need to drive across town, miss work or head to a clinic to see if your insurance company will cover an expensive procedure. With VirtuOX, the sleeping test of the HST device will be delivered right to your door. We make sure it comes with complete instructions and a toll-free technical support line.

The home sleep testing can be sent via standard USPS mailbox in a stamped, pre-paid priority mail envelope. These days, patients are responsible for more of the cost of their healthcare than ever before. Whether it's your portion as a co-pay or high deductible the insurance doesn't cover the procedure, many patients are searching for a more cost-effective solution. HST devise of the home sleep study cost priced between 1/3 and 1/10 the cost of an in-lab study. 

These sleep tests determine which sleeping position is the best. As you can see, using any in-home sleeping study for sleep apnea allows you to get accurate results from the comfort of your own home so you can be on your way to treating sleep apnea if needed.

VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.