Is there any research on what is the most healthy way to sleep for humans: on the back/supine, prone, right side or left side?
Why?
In pregnancy after 20th weeks of gestation, it is preferred to instruct women to lie on the left side, so that pressure on the major blood vessels like vena cava could be relieved (pressure on the vena cava may lead to maternal hypotension, breathlessness; thus reduced blood flow to placenta and fetus).
If normal healthy person, then right side is preferred position of sleep.
Appreciate your input.
But what about healthy males and non-pregnant ladies: any research about what is more healthy sleeping position(s)?
Sleeping on your back is in general the preferred way. Sleeping on the front (stomach) can cause pressure on the rib cage as well as the stomach.
Probably the one that suits an individual the best, i.e. when you feel best.
Physiologically recommended position: left side = 1. good activation of the glymphatic system / neuronal detoxication; 2. better hydrostatic conditions for the stomach.
Pathophysiologically recommended: depending on the disease. Our data showed, e.g. patients with cardial problems (infarction, insufficiency) prefer right side. COPD patients prefer left side. Well known and manifold investigated for snoring / OSAS: side sleeping decrease apnea/hypopnea index.
As 50% of adult men snore I would recommend to sleep on either side and not on the back as it will increase your unhealthy snoring and possible apnea.
Recovery possition is recommended.
It depends a lot of the population of the study. More important than the static position is to understand the adjustments required for which position.
For example, when laying on your back is recommended to put some pillow under the knees so it retifies the lower back reducing stress. On the side consider size and height of the pillow and use another pillow between the legs.
Most of the studies I know is about the impact of positioning in babies on NICU.
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