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Updated September 2026
The most effective sleep apnea treatment for most people is a CPAP machine, prescribed after a sleep study. Other proven options include BiPAP machines, custom oral appliances, positional therapy, weight loss and, for some adults, prescription medication or an implant. Raising the head of your bed with an adjustable base can also reduce breathing interruptions for some people with obstructive sleep apnea, and it works alongside medical treatment rather than replacing it.
If you wake up tired after a full night in bed, or someone has told you that you snore loudly, gasp or seem to stop breathing in your sleep, you may be one of the millions of people living with sleep apnea. This guide explains what sleep apnea is, which devices and treatments help, and how an adjustable bed fits into a better night's sleep.
Key takeaways
- Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses or shallow breathing during sleep. A sleep study is the only way to diagnose it.
- CPAP is the most common first treatment. BiPAP, oral appliances, weight loss, medication and implants are other options.
- Studies show raising the head of the bed can lower breathing events in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
- An adjustable base lifts your whole upper body to a steady angle, which stacked pillows cannot do.
- An adjustable bed supports treatment. It is not a cure, so talk with your doctor before changing your care.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes very shallow during sleep. Each time it happens, oxygen levels can dip and the brain briefly wakes you to restart breathing. These interruptions can happen many times an hour, often without you remembering them, which is why people with sleep apnea feel exhausted even after a full night in bed.
Types of sleep apnea
| Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) | Central sleep apnea (CSA) | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | The muscles in the back of the throat relax and the airway narrows or closes | The brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing |
| How common | The most common type | Less common |
| Snoring | Often loud | Less typical |
| Does sleep position matter? | Often worse when sleeping flat on your back | Less affected by position |
Common signs of sleep apnea
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Gasping, choking or pauses in breathing that a partner notices
- Waking up with a dry mouth or morning headache
- Feeling sleepy or foggy during the day, even after a full night
- Trouble concentrating or irritability
What raises the risk of sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is linked with excess weight, a larger neck, a naturally narrow airway, nasal congestion, older age and a family history of the condition. Drinking alcohol, smoking and taking sedatives can make symptoms worse. Sleep apnea is also closely associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which is one reason getting diagnosed and treated matters.
Think you might have sleep apnea? Talk with your doctor. Many people can now be tested with a home sleep test instead of an overnight stay at a sleep clinic.
Sleep apnea devices and treatments
The most common options, what they do and who they tend to help.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| CPAP machine | Delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open | The most common first treatment for moderate to severe OSA |
| BiPAP machine | Uses one air pressure for breathing in and a lower one for breathing out | Can feel more comfortable for people who struggle to exhale against CPAP |
| Oral appliance | A custom mouthpiece that holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open | Fitted by a dentist; often used for mild to moderate OSA or CPAP intolerance |
| Positional therapy | Keeps you off your back, or raises your upper body, to reduce airway collapse | Works best for people whose apnea is worse when sleeping flat |
| Weight loss and medication | Losing excess weight can reduce pressure on the airway | Zepbound is FDA-approved for moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity |
| Nerve stimulation implant | A small implanted device stimulates the nerve that moves the tongue forward during sleep | An option for some people with moderate to severe OSA who cannot use CPAP |
| Nasal dilators and pillows | Open the nasal passages or support a better sleep position | Can help with snoring and comfort, but are not a treatment for OSA on their own |
No single device works for everyone, and many people use more than one. Your doctor can help you find the right combination for your needs.
Does an adjustable bed help with sleep apnea?
For many people with obstructive sleep apnea, yes. When you lie flat on your back, gravity pulls the tongue and soft tissues of the throat backward, making the airway more likely to narrow or close. Raising your head and upper body, known as head-of-bed elevation, helps keep the airway more open. Research backs this up:
fewer breathing events per hour in people with OSA at a gentle 7.5° incline (Souza et al., Sleep and Breathing, 2017)
average drop in breathing events at a 30° incline compared with lying flat (multicenter study, Sleep and Breathing, 2025)
An adjustable base is the most consistent way to get that elevation. Stacking pillows only lifts your head and can bend your neck forward, which may make breathing harder. An adjustable base raises your entire upper body at a steady angle you can fine-tune with a remote, and it stays in place all night.
An adjustable base can also help with other issues that disrupt sleep, such as acid reflux, nighttime congestion and lower back pressure. Many CPAP users find a slightly raised position more comfortable too.
How to set up your adjustable bed for easier breathing
- Start with a gentle inclineRaise the head a little at a time. Even a slight lift can make a difference, so increase it gradually until breathing and comfort feel right.
- Lift your torso, not just your headLet the base do the work instead of piling up pillows, so your neck stays in a neutral line with your spine.
- Choose a supportive pillowA contouring memory foam pillow like the Serenity Contour helps keep your head and neck aligned at an incline.
- Pair it with a flexible mattressMemory foam and hybrid mattresses with individually pocketed coils bend smoothly with the base. MLILY's foam and hybrid mattresses are a natural match.
- Keep using your prescribed treatmentUse your adjustable base alongside CPAP or any other therapy your doctor recommends, not in place of it.
MLILY adjustable bases
Featured
MS100 Adjustable Base
- Head and foot adjustment to reduce pressure and find your ideal incline
- Wireless remote so you can adjust without getting out of bed
- Quick, tool-free assembly in about five minutes
Looking for more features? The MLILY adjustable base lineup includes models with preset positions such as zero gravity, massage, USB charging and under-bed lighting, depending on the model. The best way to find your ideal incline is to try one in person. You can lie down on an MLILY adjustable base at more than 1,500 retail locations nationwide.
Frequently asked questions
Can an adjustable bed cure sleep apnea?
No. An adjustable bed can reduce breathing interruptions for some people with obstructive sleep apnea, but it does not cure the condition. Use it alongside the treatment your doctor recommends.
What is the best incline for sleep apnea?
Studies have found benefits anywhere from a gentle 7.5° incline up to about 30°. Start low and raise the head gradually until you find a position that is comfortable and helps your breathing.
What is the best sleeping position for sleep apnea?
Sleeping on your side or with your upper body elevated is generally better than lying flat on your back, which tends to make obstructive sleep apnea worse.
Can you use a CPAP machine on an adjustable bed?
Yes. Many people use CPAP with an adjustable base and find a slightly raised position more comfortable. Make sure your hose has enough slack to move with the bed.
Do sleep apnea pillows work?
Pillows can help with comfort and snoring and support side sleeping, but they cannot keep your whole upper body at a steady incline the way an adjustable base can, and they are not a treatment for sleep apnea on their own.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Untreated sleep apnea is linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and daytime sleepiness that can affect safety, such as while driving. If you have symptoms, talk with a doctor.
Find your ideal sleep position in person
Try an MLILY adjustable base at one of more than 1,500 retail locations nationwide and feel the difference a raised position can make for your rest.
Want more sleep tips? Visit the MLILY Sleep Tips blog or read our guide on how to stop snoring.
Sources: Souza FJFB et al., "The influence of head-of-bed elevation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea," Sleep and Breathing, 2017; Maniaci A et al., "Head-of-bed elevation outcomes on apnea severity and nasal resistance in obstructive sleep apnea," Sleep and Breathing, 2025; U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Zepbound for obstructive sleep apnea, December 2024. This article is general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea.
