Many people have the habit of sleeping with their heads covered, especially when the weather is cold. It feels warmer to sleep under the covers, but is it really good to sleep with your head covered? What are the disadvantages of sleeping with your head covered?
Inhaling exhaust fumes
When sleeping, the body releases many metabolic waste products through the process of metabolism. Intestinal gas is mainly expelled through the anus. When the air in the covers is contaminated and not circulated, over time, the oxygen decreases and carbon dioxide increases. Insufficient oxygen supply can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizziness the next day, making people slow in thinking and reacting. This is especially dangerous for infants whose development is not yet complete. They may not be able to rescue themselves in case of breathing difficulties and are prone to suffocation.
Damage to the respiratory system
Research has shown that during sleep, the human respiratory tract can expel 149 harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, and the pores of the skin can expel 171 chemical substances. Even in healthy individuals, dozens of billions of bacteria and viruses can be expelled through respiration and coughing in one night. If the head is buried in the covers, it is very easy to be infected by these harmful substances and pathogenic bacteria, leading to respiratory inflammation, skin diseases, etc. Young people with tracheitis, lung diseases, and heart diseases should avoid sleeping with their heads covered, as it may worsen their condition.
Reduced resistance
Scientists have discovered a substance called "awake cells" in the brainstem cells of the human body, which can send alert signals to the cerebral cortex. These cells are inhibited at night but can be excited and awaken the cerebral cortex in response to factors such as light and sound. However, sleeping with the head covered can affect the functioning of these "awake cells" and make it difficult for people to wake up. If sleeping with the head covered for a long time, it will also reduce the young people's defense against diseases and be detrimental to their health.
Sleeping with the head covered is unsafe
Sleeping with the head covered is very unsafe. If there is not enough oxygen in the covers, it is easy to experience brain hypoxia. At this time, people are in a deep sleep and lack alertness. They can hardly hear any sounds indoors or outdoors. If something happens at home or outside, such as a fire, they may not hear the alarm, which can jeopardize their own safety. Therefore, it is better not to sleep with your head covered.
Not beneficial to infant health
For infants, who have weak breathing power, if their cry is low and their deeply sleeping parents cannot hear them, it can lead to chronic incomplete asphyxia suffocation. This condition is called "covering and sucking syndrome". If infants sleep with their heads covered, the heat generated by their bodies cannot dissipate properly. Coupled with the incomplete development of their temperature regulation center, their bodies will sweat excessively to lower their body temperature, which can easily lead to dehydration.
