Tag: Sleep

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Personal Sleep: Understanding the Best and Worst Ways To Sleep for You

For most people, finding a sleep position is about finding the most comfortable position possible. Sometimes, you end up sprawled out across the mattress on your stomach, and other times, on your side with your knees tucked into your chest. However, despite the various options, you likely favor one position over others, and that position will typically fall into one of three categories: back, side, or stomach sleeper. Which position is right or wrong depends on the individual.

The Back or Supine Position

Sleeping on one’s back is often touted as the superior sleep position because it reduces stress on the body, improving muscle or joint pain symptoms. Additionally, adjustments to this position, like raised feet, can reduce swelling and risks associated with congestive heart failure. However, the supine position is not for everyone.

People who struggle to breathe at night or are diagnosed with sleep apnea will find this position challenging and even life-threatening. The position allows the tongue and lower jaw to shift backward, potentially obstructing the airway. Sleeping on the back can also lead to louder snoring.

The Side or Lateral Position

Sleeping on one’s side, either the left or the right, can circumvent the potential problems of the supine position. Many side sleepers find it easier to breathe in the lateral position and report less snoring and reduced sleep apnea symptoms. Additionally, for individuals with joint or knee pain, especially when it affects one side more than the other, sleeping on the opposite side with a pillow between the knees can relieve pain and improve sleep.

The primary cons of sleeping in the lateral position are increased pressure, shifting organs, and the potential of increased shoulder, hip, and lower back pain. When you sleep on your side, gravity automatically pulls on your internal organs, putting pressure on the heart from the lungs. The effects of pressure on the heart include heart strain and increased kidney output.

The Stomach or Prone Position

Not many people sleep on their stomachs. The prone position often requires the head to be turned to either side, with the arms in any number of positions and the legs straight out. The advantages of prone sleep include the avoidance of many of the supine problems and the organ shifts of the lateral position. Additionally, a prone position can provide greater comfort, especially when the sleeping surface is not ideal.

However, the prone position is not the best position to sleep because of the risks of neck, shoulder, and back injuries. The need to twist the neck to one side or the other puts pressure on the neck, shoulders, and upper back. It can also make it hard to breathe. Sleeping on one’s stomach means the body’s weight is restricting the motion of the ribs and pressing down on the lungs, making it hard to breathe.

Which sleep position is best? Unfortunately, there is no straight answer because everyone is unique. You might not have a problem breathing at night, meaning that a supine position is superior, or you might struggle with knee pain, making a lateral position more favorable. Essentially, the position that is best for you is the one that allows the most comfortable and uninterrupted night’s sleep. You can visit a sleep specialist if you want a more specific answer.

What is your favorite sleep position?

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Sleep Gummies: Everything You Need To Know

Many Americans struggle with sleep. Stress is often a factor in restlessness, but there can be more serious underlying issues you need to address. 

Those struggling with shut-eye might find some relief with melatonin supplements or gummies. Melatonin is the hormone that helps the body regulate the natural circadian rhythm, that biological process that tells you when you're tired and ready to sleep.  

Melatonin supplements can help those suffering from poor sleep. However, before you head to the local pharmacy, there are several things you should know and consider.

1. Consult With Your Doctor Before Using

Before starting any supplement, you should talk to your primary care physician first. While sleeping problems can occur because of increased stress, sometimes, there are legitimate health concerns that need to be addressed. For instance, sleep disturbances can result from sleep apnea, which is a condition where a person literally stops breathing during sleep. 

Talking to your doctor before starting a melatonin supplement can help ensure your safety. Your doctor can run tests and ask questions to determine if a supplement is the best option for you.

2. Verify Products Through Third-Party Groups

As a supplement, sleep gummies are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Without FDA approval, producers can include ingredients that are not obvious on the labels. Consuming products without accurate labeling can be dangerous. 

Therefore, if you want to start taking a melatonin supplement, it is best to purchase from a reputable source. Finding legitimate products is about verification, and the best way to verify supplements is through third-party groups, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Sanitation Foundation International. 

3. Know the Side Effects

Most products, even ones sold over-the-counter, have side effects. Before taking any supplement, you need to read the label closely to determine if the potential side effects are worth the risks. 

When it comes to melatonin gummies, there are a few things you should be aware of. According to some medical professionals, melatonin supplements can result in headaches, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. If given to children, the supplements can cause bed-wetting and agitation.

4. Understand Gummies Aren't for Everyone

When used conservatively, sleep gummies are typically safe. However, not all people should take them. Those individuals who are pregnant or nursing should not take the supplements.

 Additionally, anyone on blood pressure medication or blood thinners or those with type one diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or epilepsy should talk to their doctor before taking the supplements. Taking these supplements with any of these conditions can be hazardous.

5. Gummies Offer a Temporary Fix

Sleep gummies are effective for people with jet lag and some sleep-wake disorders, but they do not offer a long-term fix. The supplements can help some shift workers get some rest, too. 

The problem with self-prescribing sleep supplements is when you do not understand the underlying cause of the sleep disruption. If you fail to diagnose the underlying condition, you might find that melatonin supplements become ineffective because the condition worsens. 

Sleep gummies, or melatonin supplements, can help with some sleep struggles. In the short term, the supplements seem effective, but long-term use might not have the same effect. Before trying sleep gummies, it is best to talk to your doctor about your sleep problems and determine if a supplement is right for you.