Endocrinologist Zukhra Pavlova told how sleeping position affects human health. She refers to a study published in The Mirror.
According to experts, it is better to sleep on your back or side. Sleeping on your stomach can be harmful for several reasons.
Lower back pain. Sleeping on your stomach straightens the natural curve of the spine, and this is not physiological. If you have back problems, they may get worse.
Cardiovascular diseases.
—When you sleep on your stomach, there is pressure on the chest, the diaphragm is pinched, which makes deep breathing and blood circulation difficult. This is an additional load on the heart, the doctor noted in herblog.
Head hurts. It is turned to one side , so the neck muscles are constantly tense.
Due to pinched nerves, numbness may occur, tingling in the hands and other neurological symptoms.
Wrinkles on the face. The face that rests on the pillow is in a flattened and compressed state.
It is better to sleep on your side or back, Pavlova noted. Sleeping on your side is especially beneficial for sleep apnea because it keeps your airways open.
Sleeping on your back can have both positive and negative health effects, according to other research. About the potential harmful effects of sleeping on your back:
Obstructive sleep apnea. For people prone to obstructive sleep apnea, sleeping on their back worsens symptoms. This condition is characterized by temporary cessation of breathing, which leads to decreased sleep quality and deterioration in overall health. In this position, the tongue and soft palate can block the airway, preventing normal breathing.
People who sleep on their back often have an open mouth. This leads to dry mouth, breathing problems and the risk of developing respiratory tract infections.
Increased reflux symptoms. People suffering from heartburn usually experience an increase in symptoms. This is due to the fact that in this position, acid from the stomach rises more easily into the esophagus.
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Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.
Zukhra Pavlova Medicine Endocrinologist