Latest news with #AASM
Medscape
30-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Iron Over Dopamine? Restless Legs Syndrome Guidelines Revamp
To reduce the risk for complications, the use of dopaminergic agonists in the treatment of severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) has become less common. RLS is characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by unpleasant sensations such as itching, tingling, or electric paresthesia, which typically affect the lower limbs. It affects 8% of the French population, predominantly women. New guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) no longer recommend the use of these drugs as first-line treatments. During the recent French Language Neurology Days in Montpellier, France, Sofiène Chenini, PhD, a researcher at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Gui-de-Chauliac Hospital, reviewed the current treatment approaches for RLS and highlighted non-dopaminergic alternatives. He cautioned that dopaminergic agonists could lead to the augmentation and worsening of symptoms over time. In France, RLS is guided by the 2019 recommendations of the French Society for Sleep Research and Medicine (SFRMS), which still supports the use of dopaminergic agonists for the most severe cases of RLS. 'For now, we have not updated the guidelines, but we are considering it,' said Chenini, referring to the new American recommendations. Iron as First Line According to the new AASM guidelines, intravenous iron supplementation is the preferred first-line treatment for severe RLS. In some cases, second-line antiepileptic drugs are considered a first-line treatment option in French recommendations when the severity is low. These sensations of restlessness typically occur in the evening or at night during periods of rest or inactivity and are temporarily relieved by movement, such as walking and stretching. The condition often leads to repeated leg movements during sleep and difficulty falling asleep due to increased brain activity. RLS is not fully understood but is often linked to problems with iron regulation. MRI studies have shown iron deficiency in the brains of patients with RLS. This suggests a disruption in iron transport across the blood-brain barrier and into neurons, possibly due to a decrease in the transferrin receptor. This disruption in iron regulation, believed to have a primarily genetic origin, induces an increase in the synthesis of dopamine and glutamate, which is likely the cause of the symptoms. In RLS, changes in the dopaminergic system are linked to risk factors such as aging and the use of certain medications. Five Clinical Criteria According to a 2016 consensus from the SFRMS, RLS diagnosis is based on five clinical criteria: An intense and irresistible urge to move the lower limbs accompanied by unpleasant sensations Worsening symptoms at rest, the patient is unable to stay still Relief of symptoms through movement such as walking or stretching Increased severity of symptoms in the evening and at night The absence of other causes, such as myalgia, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, venous insufficiency, and obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs Once diagnosed, iron assessment is required to check for iron deficiency. The analysis includes measuring C-reactive protein to ensure there is no inflammation, 'which reduces iron bioavailability,' Chenini explained. Therefore, polysomnography remains optional in such cases. If ferritin levels are below 75 µg/L, iron supplementation is recommended. Treatment also involves addressing factors that worsen symptoms, such as caffeine and alcohol consumption and smoking. It is advisable to stop or switch medications that may aggravate symptoms, such as antidepressants and antihistamines. The antidepressants involved are serotonergic, particularly serotonin reuptake inhibitors, with a long half-life. 'If stopping treatment is not possible, switching to antidepressants with a short half-life, such as venlafaxine or duloxetine taken in the morning, is recommended,' he said. Lifestyle For mild RLS cases, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to ease symptoms. These include avoiding coffee, alcohol, and tobacco; maintaining regular sleep and wake times; engaging in physical activity early in the day; and performing stretching exercises before sleeping. If ferritin levels remain low after 3 months of iron supplementation, switching to intravenous treatment is recommended. Options included a single dose of ferric carboxymaltose (500-1000 mg) or multiple sessions of 200 mg ferric hydroxide-sucrose. If symptoms persist, a mild opioid is recommended as needed, starting with opium powder, codeine (such as paracetamol-codeine 500/30 mg, up to 60 mg of codeine or more), and tramadol (starting at 50 mg and increasing to 100 mg if necessary). If the improvement remains insufficient, specific treatment should be considered on the basis of the severity of RLS assessed using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (IRLS) score. Background treatment is recommended for very severe cases (IRLS score above 30), which are linked to the risks for depression and even suicide, as noted by Chenini. It is also advised in cases of severe insomnia or when the quality of life is significantly affected. A recent study by Chenini and colleagues found a 10-fold higher risk for depressive symptoms in patients with RLS, particularly in young women with insomnia. The study also reported a threefold increase in suicidal thoughts. Dose and Misuse According to the French guidelines, very severe cases of RLS require treatment with low-dose dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole, rotigotine, or ropinirole. These drugs may also help reduce motor inhibition in patients with depression. Dopamine agonists are the only approved treatment for this indication. 'It is essential to respect the maximum dosages,' Chenini emphasized. The recommended maximum doses are 3 mg for rotigotine, 0.54 mg for pramipexole, and 4 mg for ropinirole. Second-line treatments include alpha-2 delta ligand antiepileptics, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, especially in cases of severe insomnia. For less severe cases, these antiepileptics are preferred as first-line treatment. Gabapentin may be favored over pregabalin because it causes less sedation. The major risk associated with dopamine agonists is worsening symptoms after prolonged use, known as augmentation syndrome, which is particularly higher in patients with iron deficiency, older age, and those prescribed high doses of antagonists. Concerns about this complication led the AASM to remove dopamine agonists from the recommendations for RLS management. In 2016, American guidelines similar to the current French recommendations for dopamine agonists were the first-line treatment alongside antiepileptics in the treatment of severe forms of the disease. The new recommendations now place intravenous iron supplementation as the first-line treatment, while antiepileptics are the second line. Chenini highlighted that this change is due to the misuse of dopamine agonists in RLS. A registry of 670,000 patients with RLS in the United States showed that 60% were treated with dopamine agonists, and 20% received doses exceeding the recommended limits. The registry shows that neurologists prescribe higher doses of dopamine agonists for RLS than general practitioners. This is likely because these drugs are also used to treat Parkinson's disease, where the doses are approximately 10 times higher than those used for RLS. Chenini reported having no conflicts of interest.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Putin doesn't want peace, he wants Ukraine' — Pence rebukes Trump's stance on Russia
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has spoken out against the White House's stance on the war in Ukraine, saying its actions have "only emboldened Russia" despite efforts to bring about a ceasefire. "If the last three years teaches us anything, it's that (Russian President) Vladimir Putin doesn't want peace; he wants Ukraine," Pence said in an interview with CNN published on May 5. "And the fact that we are now nearly two months following a ceasefire agreement that Ukraine has agreed to and Russia continues to delay and give excuses confirms that point," he added. Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused. Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with the slow progression of peace negotiations, claiming on April 26 that Putin may be "tapping me along," and that he may not be interested in ending the war. While Trump has so far resisted applying any real pressure on the Kremlin, has has been willing to temporarily turn off military aid and stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Criticizing the approach, Pence said Putin "only understands power." "It's the reason why, in this moment, we need to make it clear that the United States is going to continue to lead the free world, to provide Ukraine with the military support they need to repel the Russian invasion and achieve a just and lasting peace," he said. "The wavering support the administration has shown over the last few months, I believe, has only emboldened Russia." Instead of agreeing to the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in March, the Kremlin has instead unilaterally declared its own partial truces. Putin on April 28 announced a so-called "humanitarian truce" from May 7-9, during Moscow's Victory Day celebrations. Despite being from what the White House had originally called for, Trump on May 5 hailed it as a significant step towards a peace settlement. "As you know, President Putin just announced a three-day ceasefire, which doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot, if you know where we started from," Trump told reporters in an Oval Office briefing. President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Putin's announcement as a "theatrical performance" rather than a serious move towards peace. In his interview with CNN, Pence also warned of the long-term consequences of not achieving a just peace in Ukraine. "This is not just about Ukraine for me. I really do believe that if Vladimir Putin overruns Ukraine, it's just a matter of time before he crosses a border where our men and women in uniform are going to have to go fight him," he said. "I hold to that old Reagan doctrine that if you're willing to fight our enemies on your soil, we'll give you the means to fight them there so we don't have to fight them." Read also: France is sending Ukraine more AASM Hammer bombs — here's what they can do against Russian forces We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Sleep Like—Hatch Cofounders Ann Crady Weiss And Dave Weiss
Sleep Like is a column in which Forbes Vetted asks entrepreneurs and tastemakers to reveal the go-to sleep essentials that help them rest, recharge and ultimately conquer their busy days. Since the start of their company in 2014, Hatch cofounders Ann Crady Weiss and Dave Weiss have been in the business of sleep solutions. When their third child struggled to sleep, they launched Hatch Rest, a kid-friendly sound machine, night-light and sleep trainer to curb the nightly army crawl out of his room. Later, when Dave's chronic insomnia and Ann's work-related stress spiked along with the growth of the brand, they were inspired to create a solve for adults: the Hatch Restore, a sunrise alarm clock meets sound machine that encourages deep rest and gentle rises. The brand's smart tech devices helped the Weiss family—and countless others—set and stick to a sleep routine that's based in behavioral science. But still, like many married couples, Ann and Dave found that other interruptions (differing sleep styles, nightly tossing and turning) often led one of them to head from the bed to the couch in the hopes of snagging that coveted slumber. Eventually, they decided the benefits of sleeping in the same bed couldn't compete with the quality rest they got while sleeping apart. So the official solution, in this case, was to separate their sleeping arrangements altogether, a decision more colloquially known as a sleep divorce. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), many U.S. couples have gone down a similar path. A 2023 AASM survey found that more than one-third of people occasionally or consistently sleep in another room to accommodate a partner. For Ann and Dave, it has been a mutually beneficial way to prioritize their well-being. 'It's still important for us to be able to connect as a couple, so every night, we spend time together in our main bedroom, which is actually mine,' says Ann, who also wrote an essay on the topic for Hatch's blog last year. 'And then, we go our separate ways when it's time to sleep. It's wonderful, and I actually sleep so much better now.' For Dave, sleeping separately has helped with his insomnia, too. 'We've always gone to bed at different times—I'm usually the last to fall asleep, so now Ann can go earlier in the evening without any disruption,' he says. Although they sleep apart, the couple does share a love for the same rotation of quality sleep products, including plush down pillows from Quince, crisp cotton sheets by Brooklinen and, of course, a custom wind-down routine with their Hatch Restore. Says Dave: 'Above all, we enjoy creating a sleep environment that works for us.' Read on to shop Ann and Dave's go-to picks for achieving deep, restful sleep—together or apart. Nico Zurcher 'My Hatch Restore is the number one sleep essential I can't live without,' says Ann of the sunrise alarm clock and sound machine that's available in four colors, including a new rosy hue (right). 'Right now, I'm loving the sound baths and irreverent meditations, and I transition to a rain sound during the night. Then, around 6:30 a.m., my room starts to fill with the light, and I wake up to the voice of drag queen Jaida Essence Hall telling me, 'Girl, get out of bed. You're going to slay the day.'' Quince 'I'm constantly searching for the ultimate pillow,' Dave says. 'I've had three back surgeries, and I'm also a 6-foot-7 side sleeper, so it's hard to get comfortable, period. Right now, Ann and I are both using this Quince down pillow. I use one to support my neck and another to support my free shoulder.' Adds Ann: 'I'm a side and back sleeper, and I love that it works for both. It's a nice, comfy option.' Brooklinen 'The Classic Percale sheets from Brooklinen are great,' Ann says. 'I have the window pane print, and Dave has the solid white color. I love that they have long and short label tags inside, so when you're putting on the fitted sheet, it's easy to do. It's such a small detail but completely game-changing.' The Company Store 'We both use the same cozy down comforter from The Company Store. I have allergies, so I also use a hypoallergenic cover from Amazon for my comforter and pillow,' Ann says. Leesa 'We're currently using Leesa mattresses,' Dave says. 'Now that we're out of the traditional spring mattress era, there are so many high-quality options to choose from. It's really hard to notice the difference because they're all so much better.' Target 'Ricola's lemon-flavored, sugar-free cough drops are an essential for me,' Ann says. 'I have allergies, so sometimes I get stuffed up. When I eat one of these, even in the middle of the night, I don't get a dry mouth, and I feel so much better.' Lunya 'Dave is not a pajama guy, and sometimes I just sleep in a T-shirt and undies,' Ann says. 'But I do have a pair of Lunya pajamas that I really like. This set includes a short-sleeve tee and shorts that are lightweight and breathable.' Amazon 'When I need to unwind at night, I use my Hatch Restore for meditations, or I pick up a good book. Right now, I'm reading the novel Hello Beautiful, which is incredible,' Ann says. Dave's relaxation routine involves some gaming. 'I like to play chess online,' he says. 'It was initially a pandemic hobby, but I noticed that it requires enough of my attention that the things that were on my mind kind of melt away when I play. When I return, I feel just a little more refreshed.' Amazon 'Next to my bed, I always keep some Blistex lip balm to make sure my lips aren't too dry,' Ann says. 'Blistex is not a very sexy brand, but that's what I use—and it totally works.' Hatch 'Eight years after our second child was born, we had our 'bonus baby,' and he struggled with bedtime, so Hatch was created out of a necessity to help people train their kids to sleep through sound and light,' Ann says. 'The Hatch Rest can really help you establish a good routine. I also recommend that any new parents get educated about sleep for babies, whether that's through a sleep coach or books on the topic. A great swaddle also helps. We've bought the Ollie Swaddle a bunch of times.' Papier 'As a parent, it's important to have a journal to record your own experiences,' Ann says. 'You're so exhausted, and time flies, but whether I'm feeling high or low, I like to write things down so I can remember to keep things in perspective.'
CNN
14-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Yawning may be more dangerous than you think, experts say
Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. CNN — Find yourself yawning a lot? Do you need that third or fourth cup of coffee to make it through the afternoon at work? Such signs of sleepiness may be a red flag of a serious sleep deficit that could put you in physical danger and harm your long-term health, according to a new position paper by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. 'Sleepiness is a serious health concern with wide-reaching consequences,' said AASM President Dr. Eric Olson, a pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 'From drowsy driving crashes to workplace errors and long-term health risks, the effects of excessive daytime sleepiness impact individuals and society every day,' Olson said in a statement about the paper, which is supported by 25 different medical organizations including the American Academy of Neurology, the National Safety Council and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Not getting a quality night's rest of at least seven to eight hours has been linked to the development or worsening of diabetes, depression, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke, experts say. 'With one-third of U.S. adults reporting they experience excessive sleepiness, the importance of identifying interventions that recognize, assess, and treat it cannot be understated,' Olson added. All too often people write off signs of sleepiness, such as dozing off during a work meeting, as an insignificant issue instead of a sign of a potentially dangerous sleep deficit, experts say. 'Nodding off in boring meetings is an indication of insufficient sleep. Someone who is fully rested will not fall asleep in meetings, no matter how boring the meeting is,' said sleep specialist Kristen Knutson, an associate professor of neurology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. 'Excessive daytime sleepiness can impair performance and be an indicator of underlying sleep disorders or other issues,' Knutson said via email. 'If someone is experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness regularly, they should discuss this with their physician.' A hidden danger The body does odd things when it's continuously sleepy, including overcoming those yawns and sending signals that you are, in fact, coping with the lack of sleep. However, those signals couldn't be further from the truth, said AASM board member and second author Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a professor of sleep medicine at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. 'The unfortunate thing is data shows that with chronic partial sleep deprivation the ability to perceive our own level of impairment is no longer accurate — we think we're OK when we're really not,' Gurubhagavatula said. 'When we do actual tests to measure how well your brain is functioning — reaction time, the ability to recall, memory tests, coordination — we find people are actually making a lot of mistakes,' she said. 'And it's scary because they still have this inappropriately high level of confidence that they are OK.' With continued sleepiness, the brain may take mini naps, or what specialists call microsleeps, Gurubhagavatula said. 'Your brain is actually going into brief two-second, three-second, 10-second microsleeps and then popping back out and you may not even realize this is happening,' she said. 'It can be very dangerous if you're driving or doing something that involves safety. So if you do feel like you might fall asleep, pay attention to that, as it's an indication it's not safe to drive.' About 100,000 car accidents a year are linked to drowsy driving, according to statistics. Tests of sleepiness How do you know if your sleepiness is crossing into the danger zone? You can measure it on various scales, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Gurubhagavatula said. Questions on the test include how likely you'll fall asleep while sitting quietly after a lunch with no alcohol; lying down in the afternoon; sitting inactive in a public place; sitting and reading; sitting and chatting with someone; riding as a passenger in a car for an hour; sitting in traffic for a few minutes while driving; and watching television. 'We ask patients to rate from zero to three how likely they are to fall asleep during these eight sedentary situations,' she said. 'The maximum score is 24, which indicates that you're very, very sleepy. We generally consider scores above 10 to being clinically significant and worth intervention.' As sleep deprivation progresses, dangerous symptoms of sleepiness can increase, Gurubhagavatula said. 'You have droopy eyelids, your body is slumping, you're having trouble staying upright, and some people even notice vertigo, the room spinning, hands shaking with severe deprivation,' she said. 'You can also be reckless and impulsive, like you don't care. That's another symptom.' Additional causes of sleepiness Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and circadian rhythm sleep disorders, as well as chronic pain conditions and medications can also contribute to sleepiness, which will be ruled out by a sleep specialist. 'You can also ask your pharmacist about your prescriptions, and you should also consider any over-the-counter medications,' Gurubhagavatula said. Certain lifestyle behaviors also can contribute to chronic sleepiness, experts say. 'Things like too much caffeine, alcohol use before bed, using marijuana, the amount of exercise you're doing, and practicing poor sleep hygiene, such as sleeping in a bright, cold, hot or noisy bedroom, will definitely affect how your sleep will be organized and how refreshing it's going to be,' Gurubhagavatula said. Many people turn to alcohol or marijuana in the mistaken belief that it can improve sleep. While alcohol appears to make it easier to fall asleep, the body will wake in the middle of the night once the alcohol is metabolized, experts say. 'I have patients that are very surprised how much better their sleep is when they get rid of that one drink they have with dinner,'Gurubhagavatula said. 'As for marijuana, we know it actually has unwanted side effects on sleep. The efficiency of your sleep decreases, and how tired you feel the next day increases, so sleep quality actually starts to go down.'
Buzz Feed
01-04-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Have Sleep Apnea Or Suspect You Do? Certain Pillows Might Help
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted. Sleep apnea — a disorder in which one's breathing is interrupted for seconds or minutes at a time during sleep — affects people of all ages, genders, and body types, according to Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep medicine physician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Yet more than 80% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed, she said. 'The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring,' Gurubhagavatula noted. However, because of the unconscious nature of sleep, it can be tricky to determine whether you snore, much less experience sleep apnea episodes, unless a family member, roommate or partner notices. However, if you notice yourself waking up gasping or choking, or even frequently using the bathroom at night, these can all constitute sleep apnea symptoms, too. The interruptions in breathing that occur with sleep apnea 'lead to frequent drops in blood oxygen levels, severely disrupting sleep quality,' explained Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and head sleep expert at Wesper. The consequences of such diminished sleep quality can be dire, affecting daytime hours and the broader constitution of one's life emphasized Gurubhagavatula. 'For about half of those with sleep apnea, symptoms worsen when sleeping on their back,' explained Rohrscheib. This is called positional sleep apnea, she noted, and occurs because sleeping on your back can actually block your airway. Specifically, gravity can cause your tongue to fall into the throat during sleep, obscuring the airway, both experts said. The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. 'Patients with positional sleep apnea often benefit from sleeping on their side or elevating their head,' added Rohrscheib. 'For people with mild sleep apnea, sleeping with a firm, elevated pillow might improve their respiration, as softer pillows that are thinner tend to promote airway blockage.' If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, seek evaluation by your doctor or a specialist from an AASM-accredited sleep center. A healthcare professional can order you a sleep study, which often can be done right at home. 'Those with positional sleep apnea may still experience breathing disruptions, though typically to a lesser degree than when sleeping on their back,' Rohrscheib noted, and 'not everyone with sleep apnea will see improvements by changing their sleep position.' It's best to consult with a sleep specialist about whether positional therapy makes sense for you. If your doctor agrees that swapping out your pillow might help, you can check out some pillow aids informed by expert insight ahead. 1. Tempurpedic Switching to a side sleeping position with an appropriate pillow can be helpful if you have mild or positional sleep apnea, in which the disorder worsens during back sleeping. 'Typically, someone with positional sleep apnea will benefit more from a pillow that allows them to sleep comfortably on their sides, such as a medium firm memory foam pillow," said Rohrscheib. Based on Rohrscheib's advice, we selected Tempurpedic's beloved memory foam pillow, which is designed to comfortably support your head and neck during side sleeping. Get the large pillow from Amazon for $63. 2. An adjustable memory foam pillow for personalized support Amazon This popular contoured side sleeping pillow is another solid option based on Rohrscheib's recommendation. It's so important for any good side pillow to support the space between your shoulder and head as closely as possible, yet that distance is unique to each person depending on their particular physical makeup, according to sleep brands like Tempurpedic. After all, shorter folks may have different head-to-shoulder widths than taller people. As a result, it can be advantageous to choose an adjustable pillow, like this one. Oeko-Tex-certified and made out of memory foam, the pillow provides four different heights for you to choose from to help achieve optimal profile support while helping minimize neck strain. Another plus is that this option comes in a travel size for easy portability. 3. Amazon For folks with positional sleep apnea, "The simple practice of sleeping on their side or stomach can help keep the airway open throughout the night," noted Gurubhagavatula. A concave contoured pillow, like this bestselling one that we selected, may help side sleeping feel comfier by providing additional support. Made with memory foam, the pillow is designed to ergonomically cradle the head at a 15-degree angle while supporting the natural curve of the neck and shoulders. This option features convenient removable inserts, too, so you can adjust it to your ideal side profile width. If you'd like the pillow to be even taller than the available inserts allow, the company says you can even contact them for an additional insert. Get it from Amazon for $35.98 (available in three colors). 4. A wedge pillow to comfortably elevate your upper body Amazon Both Gurubhagavatula and Rohrscheib recommended wedge pillows for folks with mild or positional sleep apnea, since this kind of pillow helps encourage sleeping with the upper body elevated. "A wedge pillow that allows [patients] to sleep at a 45-degree angle ... reduces the risk of soft tissue blockage in the back of the throat" and thus helps improve respiration, explained Rohrscheib. Based on the experts' input, we think this bestselling memory foam wedge pillow is a great option. Available in tons of different sizes, including options that span your whole headboard, the adjustable pillow is plenty versatile (and surprisingly chic thanks to its Jacquard pillow cover). It's designed to help with snoring and encourage more comfortable sleep, but can also be used for back support while reading or watching TV or for elevating your feet or legs after a long day. Get it from Amazon for $29.88+ (available in various sizes). 5. Amazon If you already know you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to assist with nighttime breathing, you might benefit from a pillow that's designed specifically with CPAPs in mind. "There are ... pillows made for sleep apnea patients that use other therapies, like CPAP," noted Rohrscheib. This Contour CPAP Max pillow, which we selected, is one such option. The adjustable, orthopedic pillow sports side cutouts to help minimize leaks from your mask and prevent your mask from moving around. Its concave center cradles your head while providing facial support to help facilitate comfortable airflow and side positioning. With the pillow's three removable layers, you can add and subtract inserts to achieve an ideal height for your side profile. Available in original and cooling versions, the pillow even has a tether for attaching your machine's hose to further minimize shifting of your mask. 6. A especially firm pillow made for CPAP machine wearers Amazon This popular, firm Lunderg memory foam pillow, which we also chose, is also designed for folks with sleep apnea who use CPAP machines. Designed to reduce mask air leaks, the pillow's two sides offer different thickness levels to accommodate differing side profiles; the pillow also comes with an additional removable insert for further customization. The piece also includes two pillowcases (one of which is cooling)! Get it from Amazon for $79. 7. A full body pillow for increased comfort and support while side sleeping Amazon In previous reporting, a sleep medicine physician recommended using a full-body pillow to make side and stomach sleeping easier while providing additional pressure-relieving support. Based on this advice, we selected this popular adjustable full-body pillow from Pharmedoc. The piece is customizable, so you can opt for its full U-shaped style, or detach one of its legs for a C-shape, and use the removed part for additional support between your legs or behind your head. It also comes with a heat-absorbing cooling cover. Get it from Amazon for $29.71+ (available in five colors). 8. A contoured knee pillow to encourage side sleeping in comfort Amazon A sleep medicine physician also previously told us that a small pillow in between the knees can help align the spine for more comfortable side sleeping. Based on this suggestion, we think this orthopedic knee pillow from Luna is a solid option. Contoured into an hourglass shape and made with memory foam, the knee pillow is designed to support your body while adapting to your particular shape and maintaining breathability with its cooling fabric. Designed to help align the spine, the sleep tool helps reduce pressure in the neck and shoulders while distributing your weight more evenly in the side sleeping position. Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in two sizes).
