A medical professional has issued a stark warning about a popular sleeping habit that could leave you with a debilitating and painful chest condition.
The Risky Sleep Position You Should Avoid
In a recent TikTok video that has gained significant attention, Dr Suraj Kukadia, known online as Dr Sooj, explained why one particular sleeping position should be avoided. His guidance came in response to another user's hospital bed warning about stomach sleeping.
Dr Sooj highlighted the specific danger of developing costochondritis - an inflammation where your ribs connect to your breastbone. The NHS confirms this condition can cause severe chest pain, particularly during movement or breathing.
Understanding Costochondritis and Its Symptoms
'Thankfully, not all chest pain comes from the heart,' Dr Sooj clarified in his video. 'This creative was diagnosed with costochondritis. So "costo" means ribs, "chondros" is for cartilage and "itis" just means inflammation.'
He further explained: 'It's when the cartilage attaching your ribs to your breastbone gets irritated and inflamed, and this can cause a sharp, stabbing chest pain. It usually gets worse when you press on your chest, if you're twisting or if you do deep breaths, because your ribs expand as you breathe in.'
According to NHS guidance, costochondritis may result in sharp pain in the front or side of your chest that intensifies when:
- You move your upper body
- You lie down
- You breathe deeply
- You press the middle of your chest
Why Stomach Sleeping Triggers This Condition
Dr Sooj provided a clear explanation for why sleeping on your stomach poses such a risk: 'Sleeping on your stomach can trigger it because the chest is compressed for hours and that pressure can irritate the rib and cartilage joints. These are called the costochondral joints.'
He added that poor posture and heavy lifting during the day can create the perfect recipe for developing costochondritis when combined with problematic sleep positions.
Treatment and Safer Sleep Alternatives
The good news is that treatment for costochondritis is relatively straightforward. Dr Sooj explained: 'Luckily, treatment is pretty straightforward. It centres around rest, anti-inflammatories, if they're suitable for you, and gentle stretching of the chest wall, whilst avoiding positions that can squish your chest.'
This medical advice is supported by sleep experts from Amerisleep, who recommend that those suffering from costochondritis should avoid sleeping on their front entirely. Instead, they suggest sleeping on your back or side, provided these positions don't cause discomfort.
When to Seek Medical Help
The NHS recommends calling 111 if you suspect you have costochondritis, emphasising that it's important to get chest pain checked to rule out other more serious conditions.
You should call 999 immediately if you experience sudden chest pain that:
- Spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw
- Makes your chest feel tight or heavy
- Begins with shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or being sick
- Lasts longer than 15 minutes
These symptoms could indicate a heart attack and require urgent medical attention.
