Why Sleeping On Your Right Side Could Be Killing You Slowly

The most expert’s advice is to sleep on your back, and there are a number of reasons why you should not sleep on your right side. But if you prefer this side, it may be time for you to re-evaluate your choice because of the following reasons:

Most pregnant women are prone to heartburn. However, adults can also suffer from heartburn and sleeping on the right side can aggravate the problem.

If you are used to sleeping on the right side or even the left side, you probably wake up with a numb arm every morning. The reason is you are putting most of your weight on one arm, which results to restricted blood flow. You also press down on your nerves, causing pins and needles or the “rubber arm.” This may wake you up at night, and some people are not lucky enough to get back to sleep instantly. Therefore, it can lead to disrupted sleep or worse, insomnia.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is bad for your esophagus, the muscular end region right next to your stomach that could lead to cancer.

Although this advice cannot be followed always due to at times we are not even aware how we sleep, doctors tell pregnant women that the right side should be avoided while sleeping. Here are the reasons:

1. You are reducing the blood circulation your unborn baby is receiving.

2. Some doctors claim that sleeping on the right side can damage the placenta, which is very important for your baby’s health.

3. The baby will receive fewer nutrients from the food you consume.

4. Because of the few pounds gained, sleeping on the right side for longer period of time can damage your liver, which is dangerous.

5. The most alarming consequence is the increased risk of stillbirth. The risk doubles during the final semester, so avoid sleeping on your right side as much as possible.

Sleeping on the right side is not so bad because it has positive effect as lowering blood pressure and your heart rate. But if you are not pregnant, the best sleeping position is sleeping on the back.

[Source: StethNews]