See How Your Position Of Sleep Can Affect Your Health

See How Your Position Of Sleep Can Affect Your Health

A study recently from Stony Brook University observed how position of sleep can affect the brain and discovered that sleeping on the side may be best for health. They experimented on rats and found out that side sleeping made it easier for the brain to eliminate amyloid beta. Although the research is yet to be tested in humans, the researchers speculated that sleeping on the side helps remove waste from the brain.

Between 50 to 70 million U.S. adults suffers from sleeping disorders and 30 percent of Americans battle with poor sleep habits, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Bad sleep contributes to numerous health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. This study step-ups the understanding of how sleeping habit contributes to dementia.

“These studies are crucial because they help reveal the underlying mechanisms so we can understand the physiology of sleep,” said Dr. Carol Ash, director of sleep medicine at Meridian Health New Jersey. “Simple changes in behavior become a simple way to intervene and perhaps stop the process of dementia before it starts.”

1. Side sleepers

In people, sleeping on the side opens the airways and improves air flow.

People can discipline themselves to side sleeping, just like they can prime themselves to have good sleep habits. Pregnant women should consider sleeping on their left sides as it increases blood flow in to the uterus.

2. Back sleepers

People suffering from cardiac disease, sleep apnea, acid reflux or neurological disease with mutilated swallowing most times sleep on their backs inclined.

"Back sleepers, what that does is to help distribute the weight more evenly," said Ash.

People without health problems can sleep on their backs if they want as it improves the spines alignment and neck and can result to less pain.

For people having back pain, you can probably sleep on your back with pillows placed under your knees or on your side with the pillows between your knees. Both positions provide support and help maintain the spine’s natural curvature.

3. Stomach sleepers

"If you have health or breathing issues, sleeping on the stomach can be a problem, but if you like it, sleep on your stomach if it gives you your desired rest," advised Ash, who noted this position doesn't provide any health benefits.

The above sleeping positions answers the following troubling questions.

What position is best for sleeping?
What is the healthiest way to sleep?
Does sleep position affect your health?
Is it better to sleep on left or right side?
What is the right way to sleep?
Which is the best direction to sleep?
What are the best positions to sleep in?