Nobody plans on injuring any part of their body. But accidents happen, and sometimes the result is a ripple effect.
The same is true for sleeping with neck pain. There’s a great possibility it can lead to sleep apnea.
Sleeping in positions that don’t cause further injury to your neck and spine helps your overall health. Not only do you spare yourself more pain, but you rest better. And because sleep apnea can lead to other fatal health problems, you save your own life.
It’s time to pay attention to the pain in the neck.
If you’re searching for a better way to sleep that spares your health, keep reading. Learn how sleeping with neck pain may also lead to sleep apnea.
Causes of Neck Pain
The human neck has a makeup of tissues, muscles, and important spinal bones. Because it’s exposed, the risk of injury is inevitable.
Though the most common form of trauma to the neck is on the right side, other usual injuries happen as well.
Wear and Tear
It sounds awkward to use the phrase wear and tear when talking about the neck, but that happens with age. Bones and tissues like vertebrae and discs were down as you get older.
When they degenerate, you may start to feel chronic discomfort or nagging pains. Most of the time it’s a pinched nerve, arthritis, or inflammation.
Awkward Sleeping Positions
The way you sleep affects the bones in your body, especially in the neck. Of course, there’re added factors such as the type of pillow or bed you sleep on.
A bad sleeping position can also cause serious injury to the neck making it hard to rest a night.
Stress
Believe it or not, stress can injure your neck as well. When you stress out, your muscles tighten, causing you to hold tension in your neck.
Over time, that tension results in a strain in the neck.
Sleeping With Neck Pain
The fifth vertebra in your neck is often referred to as cervical. Cervical health has a direct connection to some sleep disorders.
The cervical spine (fifth vertebra) affects how well a person sleeps. And when you don’t get proper rest, disorders like sleep apnea develop.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) influences how you breathe while you’re asleep. Some people have incessant snoring while others stop breathing on and off during the night.
OSA happens in the upper airway. The upper airway is in close proximity to the cervical spine—the neck. When the neck experiences injury, this may trigger symptomatic sleep or sleep-disordered breathing.
That’s why it’s of grave importance to pay attention to your sleep patterns after a neck injury. Consult with a physician right away if you have trouble sleeping through the night.
Rest Better
Sleeping with neck pain disturbs your health and sleep cycles. Allowing it to go untreated gives way to more serious disorders.
Take control of your cervical health and put sleep apnea to rest for good.
Need help? Call (888) 590-4030 and let us assist you in finding an experienced doctor who can cater to your needs.
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