Do you go to sleep on your back or your side? In that case, what are the ramifications?
Side sleepers.
Side sleeping is certainly by far the most prevalent way of sleeping and despite the fact that its rather hard to genuinely know how people sleep mainly because we flail around so much and are not conscious of our movements, 63% of people surveyed reported that it's their preferred sleeping position.
There are certainly lots of reasons to be a side sleeper. Pregnant women should be side sleepers because it helps circulation. Good blood circulation is good for mother and baby.
Side sleeping is likewise good for those suffering from acid reflux or heartburn. Because of the location of the stomach as well as the results of gravity, it is again recommended that they sleep on their left side. The acid is therefore stopped from coming back up and giving you heartburn in the night.
On the other hand, there are also downsides. Side sleeping can cause a condition known as Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis, or CNH. This is when a person's ear rubs against the pillow excessively and results in a very sensitive lesion that is very painful to the touch and makes sleeping extremely hard. That's the reason why doctors recommend a special side sleeping pillow with a hole in the middle in order to free one’s ear from the pressure of a conventional pillow. To learn more about What is CNH?
Also, side sleeping can result in shoulder and neck problems and 'dead arm'. The blood flow is restricted which will result in pins and needles.
One more disadvantage to side sleeping is the inability to wear earplugs while sleeping. Purchasing a pillow for earplugs can help remedy this. For more resources on sleeping with earplugs visit this web site.
Back Sleepers
Of folks surveyed, only 13% are back sleepers. Doctors do recommend this manner of sleeping, so it is unfortunate that so few people adopt it. It's because the fact that it's particularly good for your spine, neck and back.
An additional benefit to lying on your back is that your face doesn't squash against the pillow which means you are not going to developed wrinkles as fast!
Back sleeping comes with its own problems, however.
Sleeping on your back can cause snoring. The connection is so clear that doctors even recommend side sleeping as a remedy for snoring. The problem is especially acute for people that are overweight.
Additionally a point should be made with regards to back sleeping. Just because it is better for the spine doesn’t mean that it is better for your overall health. Sleep quality is one of the most important determinants of health and back sleepers do report lower quality sleep than side sleepers. What's best? I’m a side sleeper and I can’t see myself changing any time soon!
