Though there is limited study showing the correlation between pillow and snoring, but there are also some doctors recommend using the right pillow to stop snoring effectively. However for better result, you should not choose a stop-snoring pillow for your single treatment. Changes in lifestyle such as; stop smoking, get back your ideal weight, and avoid excessive drinking alcohol before going to bed are some of other important checklists that also you need to concern to reduce your chance of getting snoring when you sleep.
As well we know, there are a lot of brands and products of stop-snoring pillow, but which is the best one you should choose? Whatever your choice, it should help you to keep the airways open during sleep which then will be useful to decrease your chance of snoring.
Why your snoring must be treated?
When your snoring is a problem for your partner (he/she become difficult to get sleep at night), then it must be treated. Moreover, snoring also can be a common sign of sleep apnea (particularly for OSA (obstructive sleep apnea)). And people with sleep apnea can experience an extremely decreased productivity and have higher risk of having other health problems.
Types of pillow filling
There are several choices when it comes to pillow filling, but which one you should choose?
- Down/feather! This is one of the most recommended options to promote a good night’s rest. Down pillow is soft. Furthermore, we can get the most support from the down pillow for the head when we sleep because we can move the stuffing around. The combination between down and feather is great choice. But in several cases, people with asthma or certain allergies are not recommended to use down/feather pillow.
- Latex! If you are looking for the firmest pillow then one that has latex filling is your choice. It can resist dust mites and mold. Furthermore, it can provide adequate support for neck, therefore also often recommended for people with neck and back alignment.
- Cotton/wool. It is another pillow filling that also can resist dust mites & mold. If you are looking for a squishy pillow, this type is not recommended because cotton/wool is more likely to be quite firm.
- Memory foam! Unfortunately, some studies found that sometimes foam material can emit unfriendly chemical odor and more heat (sleepers are more likely to feel hot during sleep). But foam can reduce pressure points by continuously adjusting the position of pressure as your body moves during sleep.
- Foam! It is the less breakdown choice due to higher in density. That’s why it can provide more support.
How to choose a special pillow to stop snoring!
As mentioned before, when it comes to stop snoring, the pillow that you choose should be able to help you to keep the airways open when you sleep. This is the key of your stop-snoring treatment!
How your pillow can help you to stop your snoring?
Stop-snoring pillows are usually designed specially to align the head with the spine in order to maintain the correct position of sleep. They are also designed to keep the jaw forward and chin up. When jaw, neck and head in the correct position, the chance of snoring can be reduced because there is almost no narrowed airways!
To treat snoring, changes in sleep position are usually also recommended by doctor. Sleep on your side is usually much better than sleep on your back. And therefore, the pillow that you choose should provide more comfort position to sleep on your side.
Other points you need to concern on choosing stop-snoring pillow!
- If your doctor ask you to sleep on your side, make sure you choose pillow that is able to fill the distance between the outside shoulder and your ear.
- Choose the right material of the pillow filling! If your budget permits and you don’t have asthma or other certain allergies, you can choose one that contains down/feather.
- Always prioritize the quality! There are a lot of products that labeled with ‘stop-snoring pillow’, but make sure you choose one that will help you to have a good sleep at night.
- Try your choice directly before taking it to your home! Don’t only focus to the claims from the manufacture -- try the pillow out in the store if necessary to make sure you can get what you need!
- And don’t forget to ask your doctor! He/she may have a good recommendation which one that you should choose.
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Image credit to ‘Stone /Getty Images’ for illustration
Image credit to ‘Stone /Getty Images’ for illustration
