Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAcid RefluxSnoring, Sleep ApneaCongestionNeck and Back PainSwellingGlaucomaWhat to Look ForFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Acid Reflux
Snoring, Sleep Apnea
Congestion
Neck and Back Pain
Swelling
Glaucoma
What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
A wedge is a triangular pillow typically made of moderately firm foam that forms an angle between 20 and 40 degrees. When used in place of a regular pillow, a wedge can elevate the head 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.
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Lightweight and versatile, a sleeping wedge pillow can be an affordable and convenient alternative to other measures for increasing head-of-bed elevation (HOBE), such as using risers or adjustable beds.
If any of the following affect you, consider trying out a wedge pillow to see if it helps alleviate your symptoms.
Acid Reflux/GERD
Withacid refluxorgastroesophageal 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’re 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.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
People who haveobstructive 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 propped up on a wedge pillow also can help prevent snoring: According to the National Sleep Foundation, 45 percent of people snore—and 50 percent of them snore because they have sleep apnea.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that a wedge pillow may help with nighttime congestion, such as that due to a cold, allergies, chronic sinusitis, or pregnancy rhinitis.
When you’re 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.
A wedge pillow can be positioned to help take pressure off of the cervical spine—the vertebrae that make up the neck. This entails turning 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.
A wedge pillow placed between the knees can be especially helpful for relieving low back pain during latepregnancy. You can also use it to prop up your lower legs to reduce edema (swelling) of the ankles.
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 lesson pressure along the length of the spine, providing for more restful sleep and lowering the likelihood of waking up with an aching back.
Elevation is a standard recommendation for swelling or inflammation due to surgery, injury, or chronic illness. A wedge pillow can help you comfortably elevate swollen body parts when you’re lying down.
For example, to elevate your knee, place the thick end of the wedge under your knee while lying on your back. You could also place the thick edge under your feet for swollen feet, ankles, or calves.
This can also help with fluid retention from pregnancy or sitting for a prolonged time.
In addition to a standard wedge, special pillows are available that have a short slope up to a flat area where your lower legs and feet rest.
In this eye condition, excess fluid in the eyes increases what’s called the intraocular pressure (IOP).High IOPcan damage the optic nerve and impair vision, so it’s important to keep it low.
What you need from your wedge pillow depends on what you’ll be using it for. Talk to your healthcare provider 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.
Ask about the ideal firmness, as well, as different materials provide different amounts of support.
Most wedge pillows are made of foam (or several types of foam) and covered in a soft cloth. If you have allergies, be sure to check the contents. Pillow cases for wedge pillows are available as well, which can help you keep yours clean and allergen-free.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA wedge pillow is a triangular pillow used to elevate the head several inches. This can help to alleviate acid reflux, congestion, neck and back pain, and edema. Wedge pillows are also sometimes placed under the knees for people with back problems.Most wedge pillows are between 6 and 12 inches tall with an incline ranging from 30 to 45 degrees. Your ideal pillow wedge height depends on your personal preferences and how you are using it. Under-the-head wedges should be at least 8 inches tall, while lower wedges are better under the knees.Yes! Most wedge pillows are made of foam, which retains more heat than standard pillows. If you get too hot sleeping on a standard wedge look for one that helps to regulate temperature.Temperature-regulating wedge pillows often include a gel-infused foam that draws heat away from your body. They also sell breathable wedge pillow covers or cases that help to wick away heat and moisture.
A wedge pillow is a triangular pillow used to elevate the head several inches. This can help to alleviate acid reflux, congestion, neck and back pain, and edema. Wedge pillows are also sometimes placed under the knees for people with back problems.
Most wedge pillows are between 6 and 12 inches tall with an incline ranging from 30 to 45 degrees. Your ideal pillow wedge height depends on your personal preferences and how you are using it. Under-the-head wedges should be at least 8 inches tall, while lower wedges are better under the knees.
Yes! Most wedge pillows are made of foam, which retains more heat than standard pillows. If you get too hot sleeping on a standard wedge look for one that helps to regulate temperature.Temperature-regulating wedge pillows often include a gel-infused foam that draws heat away from your body. They also sell breathable wedge pillow covers or cases that help to wick away heat and moisture.
Yes! Most wedge pillows are made of foam, which retains more heat than standard pillows. If you get too hot sleeping on a standard wedge look for one that helps to regulate temperature.
Temperature-regulating wedge pillows often include a gel-infused foam that draws heat away from your body. They also sell breathable wedge pillow covers or cases that help to wick away heat and moisture.
The Best and Worst Sleep Positions for Health Conditions
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khan BA, Sodhi JS, Zargar SA, et al.Effect of bed head elevation during sleep in symptomatic patients of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;27(6):1078‐1082. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06968.xZhu K, Bradley TD, Patel M, et al.Influence of head position on obstructive sleep apnea severity.Sleep Breath. 2017 Dec;21(4):821-828. doi:10.1007/s11325-017-1525-2National Sleep Foundation: Sleep.org.How to prevent snoring. Updated August 11, 2021.Lazzaro EC, Mallick A, Singh M, et al.The effect of positional changes on intraocular pressure during sleep in patients with and without glaucoma.J Glaucoma. 2014;23(5):282‐287. doi:10.1097/01.ijg.0000435848.90957.feNational Sleep Foundation.Best wedge pillows.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khan BA, Sodhi JS, Zargar SA, et al.Effect of bed head elevation during sleep in symptomatic patients of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;27(6):1078‐1082. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06968.xZhu K, Bradley TD, Patel M, et al.Influence of head position on obstructive sleep apnea severity.Sleep Breath. 2017 Dec;21(4):821-828. doi:10.1007/s11325-017-1525-2National Sleep Foundation: Sleep.org.How to prevent snoring. Updated August 11, 2021.Lazzaro EC, Mallick A, Singh M, et al.The effect of positional changes on intraocular pressure during sleep in patients with and without glaucoma.J Glaucoma. 2014;23(5):282‐287. doi:10.1097/01.ijg.0000435848.90957.feNational Sleep Foundation.Best wedge pillows.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Khan BA, Sodhi JS, Zargar SA, et al.Effect of bed head elevation during sleep in symptomatic patients of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;27(6):1078‐1082. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06968.xZhu K, Bradley TD, Patel M, et al.Influence of head position on obstructive sleep apnea severity.Sleep Breath. 2017 Dec;21(4):821-828. doi:10.1007/s11325-017-1525-2National Sleep Foundation: Sleep.org.How to prevent snoring. Updated August 11, 2021.Lazzaro EC, Mallick A, Singh M, et al.The effect of positional changes on intraocular pressure during sleep in patients with and without glaucoma.J Glaucoma. 2014;23(5):282‐287. doi:10.1097/01.ijg.0000435848.90957.feNational Sleep Foundation.Best wedge pillows.
Khan BA, Sodhi JS, Zargar SA, et al.Effect of bed head elevation during sleep in symptomatic patients of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;27(6):1078‐1082. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06968.x
Zhu K, Bradley TD, Patel M, et al.Influence of head position on obstructive sleep apnea severity.Sleep Breath. 2017 Dec;21(4):821-828. doi:10.1007/s11325-017-1525-2
National Sleep Foundation: Sleep.org.How to prevent snoring. Updated August 11, 2021.
Lazzaro EC, Mallick A, Singh M, et al.The effect of positional changes on intraocular pressure during sleep in patients with and without glaucoma.J Glaucoma. 2014;23(5):282‐287. doi:10.1097/01.ijg.0000435848.90957.fe
National Sleep Foundation.Best wedge pillows.
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