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"Doctor Li, if you go on like this, you really have to pay attention to your sleeping position, otherwise your life will have to be taken!"
This shocking opening remark came from Dr. Wang, an experienced cardiovascular specialist, who said to Li Qiang, who had just finished a physical examination.
Li Qiang is a creative director of an advertising agency, with a fast pace of life, often staying up late and working overtime, no, he stayed up late last night to watch a thrilling football game.
Just as he was in the final penalty shootout, his heart suddenly beat violently, and he felt an inexplicable chest tightness and discomfort. In order to alleviate this discomfort, he quickly turned off the TV and fell asleep.
However, early the next morning, Li Qiang felt that he was still unwell, so he rushed to the hospital for a detailed physical examination. Dr. Wang looked at the physical examination report and said those words to Li Qiang with a serious face.
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It turned out that Li Qiang's health problems had a lot to do with his sleeping position.
Dr. Wang elaborates, "You have been sleeping inappropriately for a long time, which has led to a variety of problems in your body. According to the latest research, there are three sleeping positions that need to be avoided the most, otherwise it will not only hurt the muscles and bones, but may also affect the life expectancy. ”
Dr. Wang took out a few diagrams, pointed to the position of lying on his side, and said, "Lying on your side is a healthy position that many people think, but it is not suitable for everyone. Especially when lying on the right side, the heart is susceptible to compression, which can lead to insufficient blood supply. Sleeping on your right side for long periods of time may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. ”
Li Qiang asked in surprise: "However, I always thought that lying on my side was the best posture for the lumbar spine. ”
Dr. Wang nodded: "Lying on your side does have certain benefits for the lumbar spine, but it has potential risks to the heart. Especially for those who already have a heart condition, sleeping on their side may exacerbate their condition.
According to a 10-year follow-up study, people who sleep on their right side for a long time are 30 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who sleep in other sleeping positions. ”
Dr. Wong continues, "Lying on your back may seem like the most natural sleeping position, but it can also be fraught with risks for some people.
In the supine state, the tongue tends to move backwards, which can easily cause obstruction of the airway, which can lead to poor breathing and, in severe cases, sleep apnea syndrome. If this condition persists for a long time, it can lead to a lack of oxygen to the brain and other organs in the body, and in severe cases, sudden death. ”
Li Qiang asked a little nervously: "Are there any precautions?" ”
Dr. Wong comforted him and said, "The precaution is very simple, it is to get rid of the habit of sleeping on your back. Especially those who have problems with snoring and sleep apnea, pay more attention. You can try lying on your side or on a specialized ventilator. ”
Finally, Dr. Wang pointed to the sleeping position on his stomach and said: "Sleeping on your stomach is a habit that many people have developed since childhood, and they feel that it is more comfortable to sleep in this way, but in fact, this is one of the least recommended sleeping positions. Sleeping on your stomach (i.e. sleeping on your stomach) causes the cervical spine to be in an unnaturally twisted state, which increases the risk of cervical spondylosis in the long term.
In addition, when lying on the stomach, the chest will be compressed, which will affect the smooth breathing, which will pose a certain burden on the normal functioning of the heart and lungs in the long run. ”
Li Qiang asked with some surprise: "Then what sleeping position should I choose to be the best?" ”
"The best sleeping position varies from person to person, but it is generally recommended to lie on your back or on your left side," says Dr Wong with a smile. Lying on your left side reduces the burden on your heart, while lying on your back avoids poor breathing. It is crucial to maintain a moderate change in sleeping position and avoid immobilizing in the same position for long periods of time. ”
According to a study published in the Journal of the United States Medical Association, long-term poor sleeping posture can have a profound impact on human health. The study found that the incidence of lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, heart disease and respiratory diseases was significantly higher in people with improper sleeping position than in the general population.
The study, which involved 10,000 participants, followed it for a decade and led to a startling conclusion: those who maintained a poor sleeping position for a long time had a more than 50% higher risk of developing the disease than those who slept normally. This result is undoubtedly a wake-up call.
Dr. Wang went on to give several case stories to support his point. There was a young man named Zhang Wei, in his thirties, who slept on his stomach all the year round, which resulted in severe cervical spondylosis, unbearable pain, and finally had to undergo surgery to alleviate his condition.
Another case was a woman named Liu Fang, who slept on her right side for a long time, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the heart, and finally caused a myocardial infarction, almost dying.
These cases are a reminder that it is unwise to ignore the dangers of sleeping position.
Dr. Wong emphasises that the quality of sleep is not only determined by the length of sleep, but also by the sleeping position.
Proper sleeping posture can help the body get better rest and recovery during sleep, while poor sleeping posture can cause potential damage to the body.
At Dr. Wang's suggestion, Li Qiang began to adjust his sleeping position. He bought a suitable pillow and tried to change his sleeping habits. After a few months, his health improved significantly, and the symptoms of chest tightness and heart discomfort gradually disappeared.
Through this story, one can learn that sleeping position has a much greater impact on health than one might think.
Many people may think that as long as they get enough sleep, they are fine, but in fact, improper sleeping position can also pose a serious threat to their health. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, you can unknowingly cause harm to your body.
So, apart from adjusting your sleeping position, what other ways can you help improve your sleep quality? This begs a new question: Are there other lifestyle and sleep environment adjustments that can further improve sleep quality?
The answer is yes. Good lifestyle habits and a good sleeping environment are equally important.
The first task is to stick to a regular sleep schedule and fall asleep and wake up at a set time each day, which can effectively help the body build and maintain a stable biological clock.
Secondly, to ensure a good sleep intake and quality sleep, avoid caffeinated beverages before bedtime and excessive eye use, both of which can adversely affect sleep. Before going to bed, soothing activities such as listening to soft music, reading books, and performing simple stretching movements can effectively promote physical relaxation and mental tranquility, which in turn can help you fall asleep faster.
In addition, it is also effective to ensure that the temperature in the bedroom is moderate, the environment is calm, and the installation of blackout curtains to create an ideal sleeping atmosphere is also effective in order to improve the quality of sleep.
By making a combination of sleeping positions, lifestyle habits, and sleeping environments, people can significantly improve sleep quality and thus improve overall health. Not only does this help prevent all kinds of health problems caused by improper sleeping position, but it also helps people to look better in life and work.
As an important part of human health, sleep deserves the attention and care of each of us.
What are your thoughts on this? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
Resources
[1] Shi Qian. Tips for common sleeping positions[J].Farmer Gets Rich,2023,(09):58.)