The orthopedist listed the contraindications to sleeping on your stomach

Sleeping on your stomach is often perceived as a familiar and comfortable position, but it is this position that most often becomes a source of hidden problems, from breathing disorders to painful muscle tension. Orthopedic surgeon Vladimir Barashkin, together with ORMATEK experts, explained on December 16 to Izvestia to whom such a pose is categorically contraindicated and how it can be dangerous.

Sleeping on your stomach is highly undesirable for pregnant women, even in the early stages. During pregnancy, body pressure on the abdomen can negatively affect the condition of the fetus. For infants, the risks are even higher: sleeping on your stomach is associated with the threat of asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome, since the child cannot turn his head on his own.

This position is also contraindicated for patients after surgery, as pressure on the incision area makes healing more difficult and increases the likelihood of complications. Barashkin stressed that in such situations, a safe resting position must necessarily be determined by the attending physician.

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Experts described how a lack of night rest affects the functioning of the brain and cardiovascular system.

In addition, the orthopedist said that even for healthy adults, sleeping on their stomachs poses certain dangers. Since the head is forced to turn 90 degrees, the neck muscles receive excessive stress, which leads to stiffness and pain in the neck and back in the morning. It is not uncommon for hands to become numb in this position: when they are under the pillow or raised up, nerves in the shoulder area may be pinched and temporary loss of sensitivity is possible.

To reduce the negative effects of lying on your stomach during sleep, the doctor recommends choosing a special mattress and pillow that adjust to the human body, which reduces the load on the spine.

"For those who prefer to sleep on their stomach, it is recommended to choose a mattress with elastic upper layers, for example, with a memory effect — such models adapt to the contours of the body. You should also choose a pillow with a memory effect, with a height suitable for a particular person, which will be determined by a consultant in the salon," said Svetlana Kotina, senior category manager for ORMATEK mattresses.

Earlier, on November 27, Anna Oderiy, an endocrinologist at the SM Clinic, pointed out the negative consequences of the habit of postponing the alarm clock. According to her, this action disrupts the morning rhythms in the body and worsens well-being. The specialist clarified that after falling asleep again, the brain stops understanding at what point it needs to finally turn on, and instead of a wake-up signal, it receives a series of short "false starts."

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