Spousal positional dependent snoring and positional dependent sleep apnea garment
A garment designed to discourage supine sleep which intensifies snoring and apnea levels in some people. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring occur when the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep. At that point they fall back and block the airways causing the apneas and worsening snoring. A significant percentage of snoring and OSA is position related and symptoms worsen by sleeping in a supine position. Garment or other embodiments have a (partial) less than ½ of the circumference mounted pouch which allows the insert to self center and pivot on the spine and have movement between shoulders as the user is sleeping and attempts to move towards the back from his or her side. The placement at lower neck area presses slightly against the spine to influence head to tilt up and slightly close mouth while sleeping thereby increasing the airway opening. The insert while comfortable to sleep against is of enough diameter or depth and made of a cushion type of material to discourage supine and encourage side sleeping without any discomfort to user. The garment or other embodiments have frontal body fasteners for ease of putting on and taking off.
1. An upper body garment having a neck opening, two sleeves, and a back, the upper body garment configured to discourage a condition selected from the group consisting of supine sleep, snoring, and positional dependent sleep apnea, the upper body garment comprising:
an elastic strap coupled to opposing sides of the neck opening, extending under the sleeves and around the back;
a circular pouch coupled to the back of the upper garment, the circular pouch including:
a first vertical length of attachment coupling the circular pouch along a first length disposed on the back of the upper garment; and
a second vertical length of attachment separated from and parallel with the first attachment and coupling the circular pouch along a second length disposed on the back of the upper garment; and
a substantially cylindrical cushion insert position within the circular pouch.
2. The upper body garment of claim 1 , wherein a top portion of the circular pouch is disposed at shoulder height, configured to influence a user's head to tilt upward slightly.
3. The upper body garment of claim 1 , wherein the upper body garment is washable.
4. The upper body garment of claim 3 , wherein the elastic strap is disposed in the interior of the upper body garment.
5. An upper body garment having a neck opening, two sleeves, and a back, the upper body garment configured to discourage a condition selected from the group consisting of supine sleep, snoring, and positional dependent sleep apnea, the upper body garment comprising:
an elastic strap coupled to opposing sides of the neck opening, extending under the sleeves and around the back; and
a circular pouch coupled to the back of the upper garment, the circular pouch including:
a first point of attachment, the first point of attachment coupling the circular pouch along a first length disposed on the back of the upper garment; and
a second separated point of attachment, the second point of attachment coupling the circular pouch along a second length disposed on the back of the upper garment, and the second point of attachment oriented substantially parallel to the first point of attachment; and
a substantially cylindrical insert;
wherein the coupling of the circular pouch at the first point of attachment and the second point of attachment results in the circular pouch being defined by a discontinuous circle; and
wherein the circular pouch is sized to receive the substantially cylindrical insert.
6. The upper body garment of claim 5 , wherein a top portion of the circular pouch is disposed at shoulder height.
7. The upper body garment of claim 5 , wherein the upper body garment is washable.
8. The upper body garment of claim 5 , wherein the elastic strap is disposed in the interior of the upper body garment.