If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t give much thought to what kind of pillow you’re using. However, we all should be paying a bit more attention to the types of pillows that we’re using, since they do affect our sleep pretty substantially.
Your sleep can be particularly impacted by the type of pillow that you use if you experience acid reflux, have chronic reflux conditions, experience sleep apnea, or back pain. These conditions often require those who experience them to maintain very specific sleeping positions to get quality rest.
Enter the wedge pillow. In an interview with HuffPost, gastroenterologist and spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Society Dr. Kristle Lynch, recommended the pillow specifically for people who experience acid reflux or who have gastroesophageal-reflux disease (GERD). (1)
However, wedge pillows have more uses than just alleviating symptoms of acid reflux. As it turns out, these pillows can be used for just about any sleep or bedroom related need. Read on to find out everything you can do with wedge pillows.
How Can Wedge Pillows Help Acid Reflux?
Dr. Lynch does recommend a wedge pillow for those who experience acid reflux or who experience GERD. According to Dr. Lynch’s interview with HuffPost, these pillows are good for managing symptoms of acid reflux or GERD (think heartburn, nausea, or vomiting) since the pillow “keeps the esophagus and stomach at a more upright angle and can be helpful in letting gravity assist with forward movement of stomach contents when one is asleep.” (1)
If you regularly experience acid reflux or have GERD, investing in a wedge pillow might be able to help you fall asleep and stay asleep easier than if you were sleeping on a traditional flat pillow. Dr. Lynch told Huff Post that investing in a 6-8 inch pillow to combat these symptoms is ideal. (1)
Are Wedge Pillows Helpful For Sex?
While wedge pillows have some definite bedroom medical benefits, they can also help you out with intimacy in the bedroom. Vicki Lyons, sexual wellness expert and chief editor at Bodyjoys (a UK sex products retailer) told Sleepopolis that, “Wedge pillows are really helpful to maintain positions for long periods of time. Sometimes staying in a single position can cause discomfort, which takes away from the overall sexual experience.” (2)
Essentially, wedge pillows can help take some of the strain of sex off of your muscles and joints. Lyons notes that “more senior individuals or people with disabilities where joints or muscles may be more fragile. These pillows allow them to enjoy their preferred sex positions without the extra strain, discomfort or pain.” (2)
Should I Use a Wedge Pillow For Sleep Apnea?
If you do a quick google search for wedge pillows, you’ll see plenty of articles recommending them for people who have sleep apnea, claiming that using a wedge pillow can help reduce symptoms. However, Dr. Kevin Postol, DDS, President of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, told Sleepopolis that “There is no research that states wedge pillows can help with sleep apnea,” and “If a wedge pillow is effective, it works by opening the airway and relieving pressure on the chest and neck.” (3)
Dr. Postol goes on to recommend that, “For patients with mild apnea, a wedge pillow may assist by repositioning the airway, potentially improving symptoms. For those with more severe apnea, a wedge pillow may help reduce symptoms when used in combination with CPAP or an oral appliance (OA).” (3)
If you and your doctor decide that using a wedge pillow should be a part of your sleep apnea care plan, then Dr. Postol has a couple of suggestions about what to look for. “The best wedge pillow would be one that extends from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso.” Again, Dr. Postol notes that “ However, as previously mentioned, a wedge pillow may or may not be effective for sleep apnea.” He also recommends that “If someone suspects they have sleep apnea, it’s essential to first get diagnosed and then seek treatment from a Qualified Dentist from the AADSM.” (3)
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Sources
- Flores, Tessa. “This pillow isn’t just for sex. It can help you sleep better too.” HuffPost. August 12, 2024. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-wedge-pillows-ano_l_66b67364e4b07f675172c456
- Lyons, Vicki. Personal Interview. August 16, 2024.
- Postol, Kevin. Personal Interview. August 19, 2024.
