Most of us when we sleep, use a pillow for the headrest. But sometimes sleep eludes us because of various medical problems associated with the body. Here, for some medical problems, the WEDGE PILLOW gives much-needed help in getting sound sleep.
A Wedge Pillow is a triangular pillow typically made of moderately firm foam that forms an angle between 20 to 40 degrees. When used in place of a regular pillow, a wedge can elevate the head to 6 to 8 inches-a change in position that can benefit you if you snore, have frequent acid reflux, get swollen ankles, or have another condition that gets worse when lying down or sleeping on your back.
A Sleeping Wedge Pillow is a lightweight and versatile, convenient alternative to other measures for increasing head-of-bed-elevation (HOBE), such as using risers or adjustable beds. If any of the following medical conditions affect you, consider trying out a wedge pillow to see if it alleviates your symptoms.
1 Acid Reflux/GERD
With acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allows digestive acids to escape from the stomach into the esophagus. Reflux tends to be more problematic at night and when you are lying on your back. When you slightly elevate your head and upper body, gravity helps prevent the backward flow of stomach acids. Research has found people with GERD who sleep this way have significantly fewer and shorter reflux episodes, more rapid acid clearing, and fewer reflux symptoms.
2 Snoring and Sleep Apnea
People who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which breathing stops periodically during sleep, often benefit from sleeping in a semi-upright position. Elevating the head and upper torso is believed to keep the airways open, which in turn helps prevent disruptions in breathing. Sleeping popped up on a wedge pillow also can help prevent snoring. According to experts, 45% of people snore-and 50 percent of them snore because they have sleep apnea.
3 Congestion
Practical evidence suggests that a wedge pillow may help with nighttime congestion, such as due to colds, allergies, chronic sinusitis, or pregnancy rhinitis. When you are upright, gravity helps your sinuses drain. When you lie down, mucus tends to pool instead. A wedge pillow could be what you need to get gravity back on your side and breathe easier.
4 Neck and Back Pain
A wedge pillow can be positioned to help take pressure off of the cervical spine vertebrae that make up the neck. This entails turning pillow the pillow so that the lower end faces the headboard and using the higher end to support your neck while you lie on your side or back. Lower back pain radiating from an inflamed or compressed nerve may be eased by placing the thick edge of a wedge pillow between your knees while lying on your side. When it comes to providing support for the back, some people find two wedge pillows can be better than one. This is achieved by placing one pillow at the upper end and another at the lower end of the bed with tapered ends facing each other. The pillow at the head of the bed should be positioned to elevate the head and shoulders. The thighs should rest against the upward slope of the pillow at the lower end of the bed, with the upper edge supporting the backs of the knees. This position can help lessen pressure along the length of the spine, providing for more restful sleep and lowering the likelihood of waking up with an aching back.
5 Swelling
Elevation is a standard recommendation for swelling or inflammation for due to surgery or inflammation due to surgery, injury, or chronic illness. A wedge pillow can help you comfortably elevate swollen body parts when you are lying down. For example, to elevate your knee, place the thick end of the wedge under your knee while lying down on your back. You could also place the thick edge under your feet for swollen feet, or calves.
6 Glaucoma
In this eye condition, excess fluid in the eye increases what’s called intraocular pressure (IOP). High IOP can damage the optic nerve and impair vision, so it is important to keep it low. According to research sleeping with the head elevated by a 20-degree wedge pillow can help lower IOP.
What you need from your wedge pillow depends on what you will be using it for. Please consult your healthcare provider/doctor about how large an angle is ideal for you and your condition. A smaller angle may be best for back issues and glaucoma, whereas a larger one may be best for sleep apnea, acid reflux, and GERD, or to support your knees.
Most wedge pillows are made of foam (or several types of foams) and covered in a soft cloth. If you have allergies, be sure to check the contents.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd October 2023