Question

Sleeping on your back is a lot more unhealthy then sleeping on your side

Comments

I do think that this is a reliable source to use about a study. Also the eviendce and reasoning that the article gives makes sense with their explanation. There are also real doctors that are giving quotes throught the article.

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After reading the articles from the Sleep Foundation and the Mayo Clinic, the information presented in each does not match. According to the Sleep Foundation report, sleeping on your back or side has more advantages than sleeping on your stomach. This runs counter to the Mayo Clinic article's assertion, which cites the Sleep Foundation as a source to support it. Despite the fact that Dr. Krahn provided the data, I believe that the Mayo Clinic paper isn't very trustworthy for this reason.

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After reading the article coming to the claim that sleeping on your back is a lot more unhealthy than sleeping on your side is unreasonable. This is not to say that sleeping on your back is better but the argument in the article is insufficient. Less snoring and obscure circumstances like pregnancy health shouldn't be the criteria for which position is healthier in general. Aside from the claim the article provides sources for where it gathers information and is well written.

Answer 1

This article jumps to way too big a conclusion. In the very beginning of this article, they cite the Sleep Foundation. I went to the article they cited from, here: How to Train Yourself to Sleep on Your Back. A complete article backed by a sleep medicine physician that undermines Mayo Clinic's story. They say that back sleeping may be unhealthy for some, if you have problems like heartburn, sleep apnea or you want to reduce snoring. But the rest of the article explains and encourages sleeping on your back.

Another article from the Sleep Foundation states, "The best position depends on your unique needs, but back or side sleeping is considered better than stomach sleeping." ( What Are the Best Positions for Sleeping? )

Furthermore, the "sleep specialist" quoted in the article that makes this claim has her studies in psychiatry, and pulmonary medicine (lung disorders). She studies sleep, but her focus is mostly on narcolepsy. Lois E. Krahn, M.D. - Doctors and Medical Staff - Mayo Clinic

Even if she is credible, she is jumping to too big a claim, when there is plenty of other research saying that back sleeping is okay, and further, stomach sleeping is worse. Mayo Clinic could have easily said that back sleeping isn't a good idea for some. Saying it is straight out unhealthy is misleading and false according to The Sleep Foundation and the BBC.

If you want more information with less exaggerated claims, the BBC explains it the best: Which is the best sleeping position?

Answer 2

Sleeping on your back can lead to various health issues compared to side sleeping. It may increase the risk of snoring and sleep apnea, as the tongue can block the throat. Back sleeping can also cause back pain by misaligning the spine. Furthermore, pregnant individuals may experience reduced blood flow to the fetus when lying flat on their back. Research indicates that side sleeping can improve circulation, reduce acid reflux, and alleviate pressure on vital organs, making it generally healthier. Therefore I agree with this fact there are also studies that show sleeping on your stomach has more benefits than sleeping on back. It depends on the individual and their body as well as their health. 

Comments

I do like that you provided answers based on the research you found, but I believe this factcheck would be better if the sources to your data were included.

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I agree with your fact check, but I think it would be better to include a link or citations from the source you used. That way the fact check is more valid.

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What is your source? Always cite your sources in-text and provide a hyperlink. Also, please select a rating. Thanks!

Answer 3

While sleeping on your back has some benefits such as less breakouts, relieving congestions, it has greater negative effects. Sleeping on your back may cause blocked airway, sleep apnea, and back problems. Studies show sleeping on your side is healthier. Side sleeping helps prevent the airway from collapsing and may reduce snoring, it is also recommended for pregnant women as side sleeping can benefit both the mother and the baby. There is strong evidence and health benefits to sleeping on your side, therefore; I agree with this site and find it reliable regarding side sleeping being healthier than on your back.

Comments

What is your source? Always cite your sources in-text and provide a hyperlink. Also, please select a rating. Thanks!

Answer 4

https://www.sleepfoundation..org/sleeping-positions

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeping-positions/how-to-sleep-on-your-back

This article from the Mayo Clinic does not support the claim that sleeping on your back is worse for your health than sleeping on your side. The text does not discuss any claims of direct comparison between the two. This article exclusively promotes possible benefits of sleeping on your back in specific scenarios such that you are pregnant, snore, or have sleep apnea. The text states: “There is evidence overall suggesting that probably sleeping on the side is better.” However, this is post dialogue of a con sleeping on your stomach, and a con of sleeping on your back. Again, this dialogue does not support the claim that sleeping on your back is more unhealthy than sleeping on your side. This article cites the Sleep Foundation in its opening paragraph. If the Mayo Clinic were arguing a direct comparison between sleeping on your back VS your side, It would be illogical to use the Sleep Foundation as evidence of support as they have no such claims. According to the Sleep Foundation, more than 60% of people sleep on their side, and sleeping on your back is the second most popular position. The Sleep Foundation simply highlights pros and cons of each position, with no direct comparison between back and side sleeping.

Answer 5

While the claim that sleeping on your back is “a lot more unhealthy” and the Mayo Clinic article linked both have some issues, there a good amount of research to back up the claim that sleeping on your side could generally be better for you than sleeping on your side. In a peer reviewed article from the Journal of Biomechanics the authors/researchers focused on improving how doctors predict when and where the upper airway collapses during breathing in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They wrote that, “The results demonstrate that sleeping position, gravity and soft tissue stiffness are the main factors that affect upper airway collapse.” In another peer reviewed article, the authors focused on how sleeping position and how often people turn during sleep affects sleep quality, using a flexible wearable sensor system. The findings were that sleep quality is strongly influenced by preferred sleeping position and turning frequency and that people who preferred sleeping on their right side and turned less often during the night tended to have better sleep quality. Overall, there is clearly some very credible research that can validate this claim, but it is a topic that is still being studied, and it seems to depend on multiple factors and personal conditions. I would say that this claim could definitely be misleading due to the exaggerated language and the lack of substantial evidence in the Mayo Clinic article. 

There are also some credible peer reviewed articles I found on sleeping positions/the importance of side sleeping in pregnancy, but that is a much more specific topic, and I find it to be unrelated to the overall claim. Here are those sources:  

“Vision-based detection and quantification of maternal sleeping position in the third trimester of pregnancy in the home setting-Building the dataset and model.” 

“Sleep position and breathing in late pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.” 

“Relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and sleeping position at the 37th week of pregnancy: an observational cross-sectional study.” 

Answer 6

Most experts agree there is “no one optimal sleeping position for everyone,” but resting on your back can help with spinal alignment and alleviate neck and back pain (Mayo Clinic). But someone suffering from snoring and sleep apnea may suffer worsening as a result if they sleep on their back, so side sleeping is often recommended for their conditions. Sleeping on your stomach is typically the least healthy choice because it can be taxing to the neck and spine (Mayo Clinic).

Answer 7

The claim "that sleeping on your back is a lot more unhealthy than sleeping on your side" is exaggerated. Based on my research, it seems like each sleeping position has benefits and drawbacks. Mayo Clinic claims it's a lot healthier to sleep on your side because on your back, you snore, which I believe is a big stretch to generalize that snoring is a measure of being unhealthy. Especially since the article from Harvard describes that sleeping on your side worsens joint pain, while sleeping on your back is bad for pregnancy and heartburn. So, although it might technically be worse, I think the article exaggerates it, and it's all relative with pros and cons.

Sources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-your-sleep-position-helping-or-hurting-you

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-is-the-best-sleeping-position/

Answer 8

It always feels like there isn't a correct way to sleep and while technically there isn't, there is always suggestions especially if you have sleep struggles that need to be accommodated for. Mayo Clinic experts write about how sleeping on your side is the healthiest position for most people. Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and jaw to block airway to increase snoring and sleep apnea. Also, researchers at Johns Hopkins wrote about how sleeping on your left side helps with heartburn and acid reflux, while sleeping on your back can help some with lower back pain.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-is-the-best-sleeping-position/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/choosing-the-best-sleep-position