We all have a favorite sleeping position. But did you know that how we position our bodies can affect the quality of our sleep? And since our sleep position is a habit, we may not give it a second thought.
However, if you’re feeling more sluggish than usual or your body feels sore when you first wake up in the morning, it may be time to reconsider your sleep posture.
Because when it comes to sleep, the quality of your sleep matters just as much as the number of hours you’re getting in. And over time, if your body and mind aren’t getting the rest they deserve, your overall health can diminish.
So let’s take a look at two ways that your sleep position impacts how well you rest.
Are you starting to notice a decline in your sleep quality? Do you wake up feeling like you barely slept? Before your sleep issues exacerbate, connect with Dr. Pasha to figure out what might be causing your sleep to suffer.
Body Position Can Aggravate Sleep Apnea
Certain sleep positions may put you at risk for health complications. These conditions can affect the quality of your sleep, and therefore, your quality of life.
One such condition is sleep apnea.
And while there are two different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea often occurs when someone sleeps on their back.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a health condition that happens when your airway has a blockage.
When you sleep on your back, gravity can cause the soft tissue behind the throat to close or collapse while you’re asleep. As a result, you stop breathing.
Oftentimes, the brain will signal your body to change positions so airflow can resume. But these incidents can happen hundreds of times in one night. Each time, they can leave you without air for longer than a minute.
Essentially, sleep apnea is cutting off oxygen to your brain throughout the night. However, most occurrences aren’t enough to jolt you awake. Instead, you’ll wake up feeling groggy, irritable, or unable to concentrate.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.
Fortunately, in mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea, changing your sleep position from lying on your back to your side or stomach can alleviate symptoms. But continuing to sleep on your back can make the situation worse.
Dr. Pasha specializes in long-lasting solutions for sleep apnea. Ready to rest easy? Learn about how we can begin to treat your sleep apnea in your first appointment.
Sleep Position & Teeth Grinding
Do you ever wake up with jaw or tooth pain? You may grind your teeth while you’re asleep. And your sleeping position may affect teeth grinding.
When you sleep on your stomach, you’re putting stress onto your spine and jaw.
So for individuals who grind their teeth, or suffer from TMJ, sleep position can affect these conditions significantly. However, if you’re not affected by these conditions, sleeping on your stomach could put you at risk.
Teeth grinding (or bruxism) affects your dental health. And the tension from clenching your jaw can cause headaches or lasting jaw pain.
When bruxism affects your sleep, you can experience daytime drowsiness or migraines.
Placing a hand under your pillow while sleeping on your stomach is especially risky. In this position, you place unnecessary stress on your facial muscles.
This sleeping position also creates a misalignment for your head and neck – leading to an improper alignment of your spine.
Get a Better Night’s Sleep to Live Well
Your sleep quality doesn’t have to suffer. By taking into account your unique health needs, age, and habits, Pasha Snoring & Sinus Center can help you find the best sleeping position.
Together, we’ll learn how to improve your sleep quality and put an end to constant fatigue. How well you sleep at night affects your work, relationships, and mood.
If you feel that your quality of life is suffering because of your sleep quality, confirm an appointment with us today.
