What happens if you sleep without a pillow: personal story and doctor's opinion

Chairman of the Committee for organizing the work of the Youth Parliament of Udmurtia

For 12 years I have been sleeping without a pillow and on a hard surface. All after one incident. At school at the OBG lesson the teacher told about the harm of this habitual accessory for sleep.

According to the teacher, the most common problem is allergies due to the natural filler. It is also a favorable environment for the reproduction of dust mites. This can cause inflammation, swelling and even asthma attacks. The height of the pillow and the softness of the filling is important, as it can spoil your posture. There is a risk of headaches, back spasms and insomnia.

I took this information as seriously as possible. At first it was uncomfortable and strange, but over time I got used to it. Now a pillow is a wild thing for me. But not everyone is suitable for such an option. Like any coin, there are two sides. Sleeping without a pillow causes discomfort. As a rule, it is an unpleasant sensation from the contact of the back of the head with a hard mattress. As a result – tension in the neck. Many even complain about osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the appearance of snoring and wrinkles.

It is everyone’s choice, and it is better to consult a doctor. But my appearance has not deteriorated. I still look “16”, although now I am 26. Perhaps this is my secret to youth. I don’t have snoring or any other health problems either. But let me remind you that everything is strictly individual.

Sisukord

Arsti arvamus

traumatologist-orthopedist, podiatrist, author and co-author of scientific and practical works in the field of traumatology.

The judgment that it is useful to sleep on a hard surface and without a pillow is adhered to not only by Tatiana, but also by some doctors. This approach has a number of advantages, but there are also some limitations. Let’s talk about everything in detail.

Indeed, in the composition of pillows, to which most are accustomed, natural fillers – down and feather – predominate. They can cause the development of allergic reactions. This is certainly a disadvantage.

The classic pillow is difficult to mold. That is, as soon as a person lies down on it, he can “gather” a comfortable shape with his hands. But in the process of sleeping it is not held, as many people turn and do not wake up every time to tuck it.

At the same time, resting without a pillow can also cause incorrect head position. This leads to compression of the arteries of the cervical spine and neck (brachiocephalic trunk). The result is an uneven blood supply to the head and neck, as well as nerve compression.

The muscles in the neck can also receive an uneven load, causing spasms and overstretching. As a result of impaired blood circulation and innervation, pain, numbness and discomfort may occur in the head, neck and even arms. It is not without reason that a person who sleeps without a pillow, tries to put a hand under the head, so that in this position do not harm themselves.

It is also important to remember the contraindications to sleeping without a pillow. It is not recommended for those who have:

pronounced changes in the bony structure of the spine (osteochondrosis, developmental anomalies);

disorders of development and function of the vascular channel (atherosclerotic changes, aneurysms);

pathologies of the neuromuscular component (paresis, paralysis, spasms, spastic changes).

What kind of pillow is better to sleep on?

It is better to pay attention to the height of the pillow. It is selected individually. Usually measure the distance from the neck to the shoulder, so that it was most comfortable to sleep on the side. Therefore, it is better to choose orthopedic options.

They are made of special hypoallergenic material, and some of them have silver ions in their composition, which provides an additional antibacterial effect. There are also different shapes and heights of elements that allow you to maintain support for the head and cervical spine in a given position throughout sleep. One of the important factors is such a property as “memory effect” – the structure adapts to individual anatomical features of a person as much as possible.

I recommend consulting a doctor before deciding whether to sleep on an ordinary pillow, an orthopedic pillow or no pillow at all.