What is positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a form of sleep apnea in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow while a person sleeps on their back. Gravity causes the tongue and soft tissues of the throat to collapse backward, blocking the airway. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Positional OSA is often improved by sleeping on the side, but proper diagnosis is essential, as untreated sleep apnea can raise the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

If you're experiencing symptoms like snoring, restless sleep, or daytime exhaustion, don't guess—get clarity. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be causing your sleep issues and guide your next steps, whether that's a conversation with your doctor or a sleep study. Taking a few minutes now could protect your long-term health.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if positional sleep apnea affects you Discover likely causes of your sleep apnea Find out if your sleep symptoms need care See OTC options for sleep apnea relief Find a sleep specialist for apnea Understand home remedies for sleep apnea Check if positional apnea needs treatment

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when breathing problems occur during sleep, especially when someone is lying on their back. This position can cause the airway to become blocked, leading to snoring and pauses in breathing.

Key Points:

What is it?: Positional OSA is a type of sleep apnea that is affected by the position of the body during sleep.
Why does it happen?: When lying on the back, gravity can cause the tongue and soft tissues in the throat to collapse, blocking the airway.
Symptoms: It includes loud snoring and pauses in breathing while sleeping. If you're experiencing these symptoms, try our free symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your sleep issues.
Management: Treatment can include positional therapy, where a person is encouraged to sleep on their side instead of their back, which can help keep the airway open.

Understanding and managing the body position during sleep can significantly improve the symptoms of positional OSA, and ensure a better night's sleep.

(References)

Omobomi O, & Quan SF. (2018). Positional therapy in the management of .... Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 28852945.
Lee SA, Paek JH, Chung YS, & Kim WS. (2017). Clinical features in patients with positional obstructive .... Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 27406180.
Landry SA, Beatty C, Thomson LDJ, Wong AM, Edwards BA, Hamilton GS, & Joosten SA. (2023). A review of supine position related obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep medicine reviews, 37722317.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.