Have you ever wondered which side is better to sleep on? And there is a healthy grain in this question, most doctors really recommend the side for sleeping. Why and on which side doctors advise to sleep, as well as how it affects our stomach, heart, liver, spleen and even the process of digesting food in the body while we sleep, we will tell in this article below.
Sleeping on the left side
According to doctors, we should choose the side for sleeping that is primarily comfortable for us, but there are exceptions and we will analyze them in detail. Why is the right side sleeping position better for some people, and which sleeping position is better for you to choose in order to feel better in the morning.
So, doctors point out that when we sleep on our left side, most people have an increased level of reflux, namely when gastric juice can enter the esophagus, irritating (burning) its walls, which is why we experience a feeling of heartburn.
Also, when we sleep on our left side, as the cardiologist explains, people with impaired cardiovascular systems put an additional burden on the heart, namely, the load on the vessels may increase. In addition, on the left side, elderly people may feel an additional burden on the spleen, since blood circulation is impaired.
If you have problems digesting food, or you often eat a lot before going to bed, it is not recommended to sleep on your left side all night, as this can slow down the digestion process.
Sleeping on the right side
On the other hand, when sleeping on the right side, it becomes easier for the pancreas to push blood through its vessels, food passes more easily into the stomach, and gastric juice remains lower in the stomach and is less likely to enter the esophagus, meaning less reflux and, as a result, a reduced likelihood of heartburn, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort after dinner before bedtime.
If you sleep on your right side, according to some gastroenterologists, their patients feel better in the liver area, because with this position of the body, the outflow of bile and, separately, the work of the lymphatic system improves. So, after sleeping on your right side, there is less swelling of the body in the morning, and the feeling that the sleep was “of better quality than usual”.
Importantly
First of all, all the specialists and doctors we interviewed noted that these are only general recommendations from doctors for patients who have certain health problems. If you do not have problems with the pancreas, stomach, liver, heartburn after eating or heaviness or bloating, you should listen to your body and choose the position in which you are primarily comfortable.
It is also worth remembering that sleep is not only about body position, but also about using quality materials, a comfortable pillow for the head (not too high, which can break the neck, and not too low, which bends the head back), a comfortable orthopedic mattress, which significantly relieves the spine, relieves stress and improves sleep.
Doctors also advise sticking to a clear sleep schedule – going to bed and waking up at the same time. This helps the body establish a biological cycle and better tune in to evening sleep and feel better in the morning upon waking.
In addition, don’t forget the general recommendations: put away all gadget screens half an hour before bedtime, don’t eat heavy meals, and don’t snack at night.
Previously, we also wrote , How to Sleep Properly: Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Sleep Quality .
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