Using Wool Bedding with Sleep Apnea

Finding Natural Solutions to Common Sleep Disorders

One major sleep disorder which affects many adults is sleep apnea, when a sleeper experiences one or more pauses in their breathing. Since the sleeper is unable to breath for several seconds to a few minutes, the body refuses to enter deep sleep. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, there is a possible solution to your insomnia: wool pillows and bedding.

Sleep apnea is categorized in three ways: obstructive, central, and complex (or mixed). The different types have their own forms of treatment, with The Wool Bed Company™’s pillows useful for those with obstructive and complex sleep apnea. The only way to confirm a diagnosis is through an overnight sleep study, a polysomnogram, performed by a doctor. The test involves wearing various wires to record the state of the body and brain during sleep and is one of the only ways to confirm sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep study The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), usually associated with loud snoring. In this form, the airway of the sleeper collapses, relaxes, or is blocked, especially when sleeping on the back. It is still unclear what initially causes OSA, though there are many ideas. Possible causes include:

Nasal allergies
Smoking
Sleeping pills or medications
Obesity
Old age

All of these factors may cause OSA as they affect the throat and lungs. Sometimes having a larger neck may cause apnea. Once officially diagnosed, most doctors recommend lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms. This includes sleeping on your side instead of back, supported by firm, medium, or soft ECO-Pure™ wool pillows from The Wool Bed Company™.

Central and Complex Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is less common than OSA and even harder to find a cause since it is a disorder of the brain. Rather than being caused by a physical factor, the issue is caused by a lack of neurological feedback.

As the name suggest, mixed or complex sleep apnea is a mixture of OSA and CSA symptoms. Physical factors as well as problems within the brain including Cheyne-Stoke respiration and periodic breathing make this the rarest form of sleep apnea. Fortunately, treatment is the same as for OSA and CSA.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead resemble insomnia, as you every night you are unable to enter deep sleep. As a result, symptoms include increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Anyone with obesity or diabetes may experience additional complications from lack of sleep, and even accidents have been reported due to sleep deprivation. Since sleep apnea can cause so many negative side effects on your daily life, many treatments to ensure a full night of sleep have been developed over the years.

For severe cases of sleep apnea, doctors may require surgery to prevent airway obstructions. Less extreme cases are usually prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. The CPAP attaches to the nose or mouth to ensure breathing throughout the night. One of the downsides of this treatment is you are required to wear it to bed every night and use associated machinery.

However, sleeping on the side instead of the back is one easiest possible treatments, especially with our natural wool pillows. While our wool pillows are not a cure for sleep apnea, they will help you sleep comfortably despite your sleep disorder. Our three different levels of firmness and many sizes will help give you the full body support you need to sleep comfortably on your side. Our other pillows, including neck rolls and body pillows, support the rest of your body to allow you to remain comfortable while sleeping in a healthy position.