Can sleeping on your stomach cause numbness in the face?

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, but your sleeping position can have a major impact on how well you rest—including potentially causing numbness in your face. Is it true that sleeping on your stomach could lead to numbness in your face? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and risks of sleeping on your stomach, how it affects your face, potential causes of facial numbness, symptoms of facial numbness, which steps you can take to help alleviate it, tips for better sleep habits, and when to see a doctor for facial numbness.

Benefits and Risks of Sleeping on Your Stomach

Sleeping on your stomach may provide some comfort, and may even be recommended by your doctor if you are suffering from lower back pain. It is said to allow the lower back and spine to rest in a neutral position, which helps to provide relief to your muscles and joints. However, it can also lead to neck pain and even numbness in the face, particularly if the pillow is too high. Moreover, lying on your stomach can cause excessive flattening of the lower back, resulting in misalignment of the vertebrae.

It is important to note that sleeping on your stomach can also cause breathing difficulties, as the stomach can press against the lungs and make it difficult to take in a full breath. Additionally, it can cause snoring and sleep apnea, as the airways can become blocked. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks before deciding to sleep on your stomach.

How Sleeping on Your Stomach Affects Your Face

When we sleep on our stomachs, we use our arms, elbows, and forehead as support. The pressure from the forehead placing constant strain on the back of the neck can cause our heads and faces to become compressed and contorted. This can cause temporary nerve compression, resulting in numbness in the face, which can last for an hour or so after waking up.

In addition to numbness, sleeping on your stomach can also cause wrinkles and fine lines to form on your face. This is because the skin is being pulled and stretched in different directions, which can cause the collagen and elastin fibers to break down. Over time, this can lead to premature aging and sagging skin.

Potential Causes of Facial Numbness

Facial numbness can be caused by a variety of factors, including sleeping on your stomach. Other potential causes of facial numbness include nerve compression due to injury or overuse, certain medical conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, implantations or other foreign bodies, emerging tooth roots, dental procedures such as braces, nutritional deficiencies, blood flow blockages due to strokes or aneurysms, as well as rare metastatic cancers.

In addition, facial numbness can be caused by certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, or by exposure to toxins. It can also be a symptom of a migraine headache, or a sign of a more serious neurological disorder such as Bell’s palsy or trigeminal neuralgia. If you experience facial numbness, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause.

Symptoms of Facial Numbness

Symptoms of facial numbness can vary depending on the cause. However, the most common symptom is a tingling or pricking sensation in the face. Others include numbness or difficulty in feeling sensations on the face, feeling like something is crawling on your face – known as paresthesia – and altered sensations of taste.

In some cases, facial numbness can be accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty speaking. If you experience any of these symptoms in addition to facial numbness, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How to Avoid Facial Numbness From Sleeping on Your Stomach

If you find that your facial numbness is caused by sleeping on your stomach, there are a few steps you can take to reduce it. Firstly, avoid sleeping on your stomach or try to limit how much time you spend in this position. You could also try using a lower pillow to reduce strain on your head and neck.

Tips for Better Sleep Habits

Getting into better sleep habits can help to prevent facial numbness from developing in the first place. Try to go to bed at a consistent time each night and get up at the same time each day. Reduce your coffee and acidic foods/drinks before bedtime as this can exacerbate problems with insomnia. Also make sure to create a comfortable sleep environment by keeping the temperature and light levels comfortable in the bedroom.

When to See a Doctor for Facial Numbness

If you experience facial numbness that does not go away after changing your sleeping habits or symptoms indicating worry, then it’s best to get checked out by a doctor or neurologist. A doctor will be able to assess if there is an underlying condition responsible for the facial numbness.