Many factors can affect the quality of your sleep, including what time you go to bed or what you eat for dinner. However, experts warn that the position of the head on the pillow can also cause major problems. Aj although many people prefer multiple pillows in an effort to sleep better, according to scientists this solution is not so advantageous.
- Using two pillows while sleeping can worsen the condition in people with glaucoma.
- The study revealed that large head tilts increased intraocular pressure in most participants.
- A higher head tilt can bend the neck and constrict the jugular veins during sleep.
Propping up your head with an extra pillow can temporarily relieve sleep apnea, reflux, or sinus pressure. But a recent study revealed that this method may not be the best for people with glaucoma (a green cloud), which causes increased pressure in the eye, damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss.
The researchers noted that two pillows placed on top of each other at an angle of 20 to 35 degrees increased intraocular pressure in two-thirds of glaucoma patients. In addition, they confirmed that the symptom was more pronounced in participants younger than 44 than in older people.
Greater inclination of the head during sleep increases the pressure in the eyes. (illustrative photo)
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The findings surprised the researchers because they challenge previous recommendations. “Since lying down is known to increase intraocular pressure, some doctors advised patients to sleep on several pillows so that the head was higher than the heart,” said Dr. Thomas V. Johnson, who was not involved in the research.
The team believes that lifting the head unintentionally causes the neck to bend and the jugular veins to constrict, preventing fluid from draining properly from the eyes. This hypothesis was also confirmed by a separate test that the experts performed on other volunteers. Thanks to him, they noticed that in those who had their head higher, increased pressure in the jugular veins was recorded.
Sleep experts also point out that lying on one pillow while sleeping allows for a more natural position for the spine and neck, reducing the risk of pain and discomfort. Still, Johnson said people should choose what is most convenient for them. “There is not yet strong enough evidence from clinical trials to change the current recommendations,” concluded.
