Is it important to have a pillow?
A third of life is spent in sleep. And your cervical spine, a third of the time, is to deal with the pillow.
In our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of our sleep, we often find ourselves considering the pros and cons of sleeping with a pillow. Like all things, sleeping without a pillow has its advantages and disadvantages. However, the cons often outweigh the benefits and have compelling effects.
Here is everything you need to know about sleeping without a pillow.
Discomfort for side sleepers
People who are used to sleeping on their side often find that sleeping without a pillow can be very uncomfortable. It becomes so inconvenient that they must constantly use their arms and hands to support their head, leading to numbness in the arms and reduced circulation. In addition, sleeping without a cotton standard bed pillow leaves the cervical spine hanging, and the cervical spine, which should be bent, will slowly straighten, leading to a cervical spine injury, easy fatigue, aggravating cervical spondylosis, and also affecting the health of the entire spine, such as the appearance of a hunchback.
Life-threatening illnesses
Many patients with a variety of chronic and life-threatening conditions are advised to sleep with their heads slightly elevated. These diseases include glaucoma, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, pulmonary congestion, heart failure, and the risk of ischemic stroke.
Excessive snoring
Medical science regards excessive snoring as a breathing or respiratory disorder. When sleeping without a pillow, the head is lower than the chest, and to facilitate breathing, people will unconsciously open their mouths and lift their jaws upwards when they fall asleep, making them prone to snoring and tongue retraction. Therefore, sleeping without a pillow can cause great discomfort.
Risk factors for osteochondrosis
Sleeping without a pillow on a flat surface is a factor in the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The use of microfiber pillows is highly recommended for side sleepers, as this position requires them to keep their head in a higher position. Because of the risk of multiple spinal disorders, forgoing pillows is not recommended even for supine sleepers.
