In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleProningProne PositionsThe Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
Proning
Prone Positions
The Bottom Line
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We all know that feeling of extreme fatigue that sets in when we’re sick. This is a common symptom and natural bodily response to help boost your immune system and give your body the time it needs to recover and heal. And if you’ve ever dealt with a pesky cough during a cold or while fightingCOVID-19, then you understand how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be to get a good night’s sleep.
Thankfully, there’s a specific sleep position that can ease discomfort and help you heal faster.
This position is medically termed “prone positioning”—sometimes referred to as “proning”—which means sleeping on your stomach. So what exactly does it help with?
According to a 2020 review in the journalClinical Medicine, the prone position allows for better expansion of the back and lung region, which can enhance the body’s removal of fluid buildup in the lungs. This ultimately can lead to improved oxygen levels, faster healing and less discomfort.
Research, like the 2020 review inCureus, shows that lying in the prone position may help decrease mortality rates among patients on ventilators who are experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
And while it’s not a cure-all, 2020 research in theCaspian Journal of Internal Medicinelooking specifically at ventilated COVID-19 patients suggests the same.
Although there isn’t a lot of research looking at non-ventilated, awake COVID-19 patients and the prone position, there is some that suggests it might help when done correctly, according to a 2020 study inAcademic Emergency Medicine.
But other research, like the 2022 study inBMJ, suggests that proning may not work as well for COVID-19 patients who are awake. It’s worth noting, though, that this was partly due to patients not staying in the prone position, so these study authors stated that more research should be done on this topic, including ways to get patients to adhere to lying prone.
So, what exactly might “proning” look like at home? The prone position can look a few different ways depending on your body type. Cycle through each ofthese positionsuntil you find one that works for you:
No matter what prone position you’re in, turn your head in the opposite direction every 30 minutes. You can also use a folded towel shaped like a horseshoe to keep your head face down if your neck hurts while turned to one side.
You don’t need to be admitted to a hospital to try this simple approach to finding relief from pesky COVID-19 symptoms at home. However, if you are feeling really poor, it’s important to get the care you need, soa trip to the hospital may be necessary. Be sure to listen to your body.
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