Sleeping on the right side: helpful or harmful?

For many people, sleeping on the right side can reduce snoring compared to sleeping on the back, but it may worsen snoring compared to sleeping on the left side—especially in certain individuals.

Here’s why:

1. Airway openness

Side sleeping prevents the tongue from falling straight back into the throat. This alone often decreases snoring intensity. From this perspective, the right side is usually better than sleeping on your back.

However, some studies and sleep specialists note that the left side may keep the airway slightly more stable for certain people, particularly those with sleep apnea or reflux-related snoring.

2. Acid reflux connection

Acid reflux is a major contributor to snoring. When stomach acid moves upward, it can irritate the throat and airway, causing inflammation and narrowing that worsen snoring.