Episode Details

Back sleeper, side sleeper, stomach sleeper...which is the best position for quality sleep? Body position is a popular topic in the media, but how much evidence is behind the recommendations? In this episode we will: 

• Explore sleeping positions and our ability to perceive and control them
• Briefly touch upon considerations like facial wrinkling and glaucoma for which there is inconclusive evidence
• Revisit how back sleeping in infants is thought about currently in the relationship to SIDS and infant sleeping safety (listen to episode 32 on co-sleeping for more information)
• Explore body position options for pregnant women
• Learn about body position and joint pain
• Examine the role that body position plays in GERD and the mechanism behind the recommendations
• Evaluate the evidence for improved cardiovascular functioning based upon sleep position
• Critique the 2015 study linking Alzheimer's disease risk to sleeping position and its relevance to humans
• Touch upon ways adults can improve sleep apnea, snoring, and GERD via sleeping position technology.

Produced by: Maeve Winter

Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved

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• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!