positional OSAHS (Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome)

Last edited 09/2021 and last reviewed 09/2021

Positional obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS)
  • a type of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) that is affected by the person's sleep position. People with positional OSAHS have an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) at least twice as high when lying face up (supine) as lying on their side (laterally)
  • Positional modifiers for OSAHS
    • consider a positional modifier for people with mild or moderate positional OSAHS if other treatments are unsuitable or not tolerated
    • be aware that positional modifiers are unlikely to be effective in severe OSAHS
    • positional modifier
      • an intervention to encourage patients not to sleep on their backs. There are several devices available such as the tennis ball technique, lumbar or abdominal binders, semi-rigid backpacks, full-length pillows and electronic sleep position trainers

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