Memory Toppers Versus Egg-Crate Foam Pads Health Concerns Mattress pad retailers and manufacturers say their toppers can cure a wide range of sleep problems (insomnia, backpain, joint aches, etc). No mattress foam pad can cure these problems but what they can do is help prevent bedsores, bring some pain relief and increase comfort during sleep. This, however, doesn't apply to everyone as we're all different and require sleeping surfaces suited to each and every one of us. But first, here's what you must know about home mattress trials and what makes a good foam mattress. Topper Recommendations from Doctors Many customer say in reviews that memory foam pads have helped them with apnea, fibromyalgia, insomnia as well as back and hip pain. There are no solid studies to back up these claims which is why doctors reserve judgment and many choose not to recommend memory foam mattress toppers as medical treatment. This doesn't mean that they don't work, it just means scientific proof is yet to be found that they do.
Egg crate foam toppers, on the other hand, have been known to receive more endorsement from doctors, especially since many hospitals use this type of pad for recently operated patients. Some doctors even suggest that patients take the egg-crate mattress topper home and continue sleeping on it after being discharged from hospital. The convoluted shape of these foam toppers can prevent and help heal skin ulcers, eliminate bedsores, reduce pressure points, allow air to flow and prevent your body from becoming too hot during sleep (fever is notoriously dangerous for recently operated patients). Low quality egg crate pads, on the other hand, may be dangerous as they are a source of toxic formaldehyde transmissions. These two types of mattress pads work differently in offering support and comfort. Support is one of the major criteria when buying the right sleeping surface. Visco memory foam toppers provide proper support as long as they are the high-density type, are layered over a firm, flat mattress and is the heat-sensitive type.
Egg crate pads, unlike memory toppers, cannot, on their own, offer proper support since they are very light and thin at the dips. It all depends on the kind of mattress they are placed on. The foam pad will offer necessary support and proper neck and spine alignment if placed on top of a firm mattress. Health care specialists say that to be labeled as providing pressure relief, a mattress has to have the pressure of 32mmHg or lower, whereas pressure reduction performance is agreed to occur between 32mmHg and 50mmHg. Good quality visco memory foam toppers like Tempur-Pedic overlays were shown to reduce average pressure to around 15 mmHg from nearly 30 mmHg. We couldn't find any numbers related to the pressure exerted by an eggcrate mattress pad on the body, but considering its shape and doctor-endorsements, we believe that these toppers do relieve pressure points. Allergy And Topper Choice Just like there are no allergy-free mattresses, there are no regular allergy-free pads (except for the ones manufactured especially for people suffering from allergies).
Since egg crate mattress pads are also made of foam, they are just as prone to host dust mites as memory foam toppers are, even though foam is generally not a source of food in itself. The only way to keep dust mites out from your mattress topper, be it the memory foam or egg crate type, is to use dust-mite resistant encasings and covers. When I laid on it, I couldn't imagine anyone wanting memory foam. Once on it, I could barely move and turning over was a real challenge. I also could see how this could get very warm at night. The mattress was firm and soft at the same time (as advertised), and we woke up with our backs feeling all springy and stretched out. We did notice that the temperature of the bed was warmer than with our old mattress, but taking off one layer of blanket solved that problem. We also could let the house get colder in the winter nights which might save energy, though to be honest, we didn't track it. My wife now sleeps through the entire night.
It did not heal her back, it just provides great support to assist her in obtaining a good night's sleep. The material forms/molds to the body like a parent holding an infant child. I tried an egg crate mattress recently with my 9 mo. because she refluxes and has a hard time sleeping. I thought it might help her. My Foam Mattress Has Memory! A Critical Eye On The Latest Mattress Technologies Authenticity TestHow can you check if your purchase as good as a true Tempur-Pedic bed? You can try the wine glass test, the egg test, or the fridge test. Top Memory Foam ComplaintThe most commonly reported problem consumers have with memory foam mattresses is that they sleep hotter when compared to conventional sleeping surfaces.But sleeping conditions are influenced by environment temperature, the material's heat sensitivity and your own body heat. 3.5 lb vs 5 lbWhich to choose from a 3.5lb foam overlays versus 5lb Tempur-Pedic bed overlay comparison? Higher density alone does not make a quality sleeping surface.
The formula behind the best sleeping surface uses best quality, high-density foam that responds to body temperature. You are here: Home > Compare Alternatives > Health Reports On Memory Foam Toppers And Egg-Crate PadsSkip links Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer Vibrant health means you can live life to the fullest. Empower yourself with the steps I used to free my life of chronic disease and medications. I’m an author, entrepreneur, and nutritional therapy practitioner (NTP). I began this website at 19, to share the steps that freed my life of chronic disease and medication. Now, Empowered Sustenance has reached 30 million readers with healthy recipes and holistic resources. Essential Oils for Brain FunctionBurn 600 Calories Sitting, and 6 other Infrared Sauna BenefitsThrive Market: The Netflix of FoodMeal Plans, Customized Exactly for YOUHolistic Hair CareA mattress that’s old or worn out can do more than leave you tossing and turning throughout the night.
Like light bulbs or batteries, mattresses tend to be the kind of thing that we don’t give much thought to as long as they’re doing their job. But when the light or a battery stops working, you know right away and replace it ASAP.But unless a mattress pops a spring or breaks somehow, most of us will keep using it long after it probably should have been replaced. Which can spell bad news for your health—and your ability to get a decent night’s rest.Here’s what you need to know about how an old mattress could affect your health, and how you can cope. A good mattress can give you years of comfortable sleep—but there’s no magic number as to exactly how many.Typically, manufacturers recommend replacing your mattress every eight years. But according to Consumer Reports, a mattress that’s well cared for could easily last a decade. (Unless you’re over 40. By that age, your body tolerates less pressure, which means you might need a new mattress after five to seven years.)To ensure that your mattress lives a long, happy life, experts recommend giving it a little TLC.
Some tips:Still, even with the utmost care and attention, your mattress will eventually start to wear out. And when that happens, some not-so-great stuff is likely to follow.Since you spend about a third of your life in bed, you better believe that over time, your mattress starts to collect loads of dead skin and body oils. Who loves to snack on that stuff? In fact, the typical used mattress can house as many as 10 million of the microscopic bugs, according to Ohio State University experts. And since even dust mites poop, that stuff is in your bed, too.Mercifully, the little buggers are invisible—and most of us seem to get along with them just fine. But if you suffer from allergies, sleeping on a too-old mattress can pose a problem. Dust mite allergies can cause sneezing, runny noses, itchiness, watery eyes, coughing, and sinus pressure.It gets worse if you have asthma, which can be exacerbated by dust mites. Then, you could be at risk for difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or even trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath.
Of course, even a mattress that’s a few months old can have dust mites, just not (nearly) as many as what would be in an older mattress. And since you can’t buy a new mattress every year (though wouldn’t it be great if you could?), it makes sense to take other steps to keep your sleeping space as dust mite-free as possible. As a mattress ages and begins to wear out, it starts to sag in the middle. So rather than sleeping on a flat, comfortable surface, you end up sleeping on one that’s awkwardly curved in the middle. In fact, one prominent spine expert compared it to sleeping in a hole.Which sounds pretty unpleasant, right? Chiropractors agree that sleeping on an old mattress is a recipe for chronic back pain. That can mean tossing and turning through the night to find a more comfortable sleeping position, or simply waking up the next morning feeling stiff and sore.Over time, the pain itself can make it harder to nod off and stay asleep, which can create a vicious cycle of discomfort and exhaustion.
In fact, two-thirds of Americans say that their pain causes sleep problems, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Doesn’t sound so fun.Fortunately, strategically placed pillows can help you find short-term relief: Place them under your knees if you sleep on your back, or between your knees if you sleep on your side.That can help release some of the pressure on your back for the time being. But the better, more permanent solution, experts say, is to get a new mattress.The best way to get rid of the problems caused by an old, worn-out mattress is simple: Replace it with a new one. But with so many options to choose from, how are you supposed to know which sleep surface is the best one for you? Here’s a quick breakdown of the basics:The best way to tell which new mattress will work best for you? If you’re hitting the store, be sure to spend at least 10 minutes laying on the surface. And remember to bring your pillow, which will help to replicate your true sleeping environment as closely as possible.