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Craig · Post by **Craig** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:31 am

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4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:43 am

I don't know you doctor's reasoning, but I sleep on my left side cuz it's most comfortable for me!

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:48 am

I think it has to do with reflux ... the entry to your stomach is on the right hand side, so you will be more likely to reflux if it is down ... so if you sleep on your LHS the entrance to your stomach is up and so you are less likely to reflux.

Obviously this is only a problem for those who tend to have reflux.

sir_cumference (occasionally wrong - but working on it!)

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:12 am

I've read that there is a strong link between OSA and GERD (reflux). I wonder why that is? Is it just the common (but not universal) extra pounds many of us carry?

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:18 am

Would sleeping on your left side have to do with your blood pressure? Seems to me that when I was pregnant and my blood pressure was up they would make me lay on my left side for a bit then take it again....it used to be down then. I always sleep on my left side because I have very little hearing in my right ear and that makes for a very quiet sleep...the other ear is perfect though.

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:18 am

You know why he added 'but not universal' in brackets don't you? Coz he's skinny! Just look at his picture!

sir_cumference (probably the crumbliest, flakiest ... never mind ...)

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:34 am

Me skinny? I wish! I just carry it well. Plus that photo is old and almost 20 pounds ago when I was wearing size 38 but now I'm back into 40's again and they were getting tight.

That photo was all I had on my laptop at the office. I'll try and get a more recent photo from my vacation last month so you can see the current real me.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:34 am

When your breathing is obstructed
The diaphragm tries to create a greater vacuum in your chest
So that your lungs expand and air comes in...
And just below your diaphragm
The part it pushes downer and downer
Is your acid filled stomach,
Getting squeeeezed and squished by all that pressure.
And like any liquid filled balloon that is squeezed....

You get my point.
O.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:47 am

O, thank you. That does make sense.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:59 am

Hi Craig,

It's not just pulmonologist's that tell most people (app 90%) they should sleep on their left side. All doctors say this. It's called the "Venus De Milo Condition" and is learned very early on in all medical training based on proven fact. Essentially it boils down to statistically most people are right handed about 85& to 90& of the general population.

This lesson is steeped in history and in fact dates back to the Bronze Age. It became particularly prevalent in Roman times and carried through to the 12th century and right up to our current millennium.

While it was indeed well know before the Romans, it was they who began the first real documentation of the "Condition" This was due to the general outcome of two gladiators facing one another, or a christian or a lion - it really didn't matter. The results were always the same. The first solid whack by a generally right handed sword carrying gladiator always removed the left arm of his foe. If the foe didn't quit at that point the gladiator would then whack off the right arm between the shoulder and the elbow.

This is where the ancient doctors coined the phrase "Venus De Milo Condition". It was just easier for their patients to sleep on the left side as there was no arm there anyway. Of course they didn't want them to sleep on their backs as this would cause greater snoring possibly leading to Apnea and they did not have CPAP at the time.

So Craig, just think about your own life today, assuming you are right handed like the majority of the population. If you sleep on your left side your right hand is free to do the things you really need to do, like:

- fondle your bed partner.
- scratch.
- pick your nose.
- other personal things.
- swat/kill bugs, mosquitos, centipedes and the like.
- adjust your mask.
- turn off/on the light.
- slug an intruder.
- operate the flicker.
- turn on/off the alarm clock.
- eat chips.

The list goes on and on and really has nothing to do with GERD, reflux or any other medical condition. If you have a sword this point can be proven.

Bob F

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:05 am

Makes sense to me, unclebob!

Hmmm, now, there's a scary thought!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:20 am

Are you suggesting a duel?
O.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:35 pm

Mmmmmmmmm, I think Sir_C and ozij probably gave me the best factual answer, but I think unclebob's version has a great many more talking points

----
- fondle your bed partner.
I wish. When my snoring drowned out the jets passing overhead she moved across the hall. Now she likes it there and won't return.
-------
- scratch.
No, I was never a "jock" and seldom feel the need. On the rare occasion I do, I go across the hall for assistance.
____
- pick your nose.
I don't know what type of mask you wear, but mine doesn't allow finger access to a nare. Please let me know which model has this much needed access plate/door?
----
- other personal things.
Toe jam removal has been eliminated with the advent of weekly bathing. However, navel lint does continue to be an issue.
----
- swat/kill bugs, mosquitos, centipedes and the like.
Again regular bathing and making the dogs spend most of the day out side has eliminated most of the flying and crawling nuisances
----
- adjust your mask.
I never had to do that. The RT from my DME adjusted it the day she delivered it and fit it to my head. Other than all the air leaving around my nose and the open wound where it rubs my bridge I have found no need to adjust it. She said she would return and check how I was doing but so far I guess she has had other priorities. But, to be fair it has only been 5 weeks.
----
- turn off/on the light.
I find an automatic night light to be a blessing.
----
- slug an intruder.
Heck no. I look forward to the company. It might even be my RT coming to check up on me.
----
- operate the flicker.
Flicker?
----
- turn on/off the alarm clock.
I'm retired and have no need to get up at a particular time.
----
- eat chips.
I don't eat in bed, but use of my right hand is needed for the occasional application of Preparation H ...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:35 pm

It has to do with how the stomach is positioned too. If you ever go for the lovely camera down your throat test they have you lay on your left side so it is easier to access the stomach. With your acid reflux problem you want to keep as much of it out of your esophagus as possible since damage to the esophagus by acid has been linked to possible cancer. Here is a short anatomy lesson: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:43 pm

Anonymous wrote:It has to do with how the stomach is positioned too. If you ever go for the lovely camera down your throat test they have you lay on your left side so it is easier to access the stomach. With your acid reflux problem you want to keep as much of it out of your esophagus as possible since damage to the esophagus by acid has been linked to possible cancer. Here is a short anatomy lesson: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach

Yep, been there done that too.