Related to Sleep Disorders Memory Foam: Pros and Cons Considering a memory foam mattress or similar product? Read what sleep experts say about it. Few things feel as good as a good night's sleep. That's especially true if sleep seems to escape you, night after night after night. If you've heard about memory foam, you may wonder if it could improve the quality of yoursleep. Some people swear by it. Others are less enthusiastic. What exactly is memory foam? And what are its pros and cons? Here's information to help you decide whether memory foam is worth a try. What Is Memory Foam? First designed in the mid-1960s for NASA airplane seats, memory foam is made from a substance called viscoelastic. It is both highly energy absorbent and soft. Memory foam molds to the body in response to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight. It then returns to its original shape once you remove the pressure. In addition to protecting against impact, these properties make memory foam very comfortable.
After its "virgin flight" for NASA, memory foam made a foray into other applications. For example, it was used as cushioning in helmets and shoes. Medicine found a use for it in prosthetics and products to prevent pressure ulcers such as seating pads for people who are severely disabled. Then, memory foam really took off. It's now well known for its use in pillows, mattress pads, and mattresses, which come in different densities and depths. What Are the Benefits of Memory Foam? Could the special properties of memory foam enhance your sleep? Sleep specialist Donna L. Arand, PhD, says that objective studies supporting the claimed benefits of memory foam -- or the effects of any particular type of sleeping surface -- are lacking. This is true for a variety of reasons, she says. This type of sleep study can be expensive, if conducted independently. Or it is "chased" by a shadow of bias, if supported by industry. Also, some sleep technology, such as memory foam, is relatively new, so it hasn't been well studied.
But perhaps one of the more difficult stumbling blocks to testing the health benefits of mattresses such as memory foam is the subjective nature of sleep. It is simply difficult to measure. Sometimes the brain's electrical activity, measured with an electroencephalogram (EEG), and other findings recorded during a sleep test don't always match up perfectly with a person's subjective experience, says Arand, who is the clinical director of the Kettering Sleep Disorders Center in Dayton, Ohio. "They might say, ‘I had a great night's sleep,' but the EEG parameters might not really indicate that." Sleep is not only subjective, but preferences for sleep surfaces are individual, Arand says. "There's quite a bit of variability between individuals in terms of what type of surface -- whether it's firm, hard, or soft -- they prefer when they're sleeping," she says. "As far as we know, there is no rhyme or reason for that." Many of Arand's patients who use memory foam have offered unsolicited glowing reports like these about memory foam: "I'm sleeping great."
"Best sleep I've ever had." "I love going to bed at night." Arand says these anecdotal responses may be one-sided. That's because she and other staff don't ask all their patients about their sleep surfaces. "We may only be hearing the good stuff," Arand says. Kathy R. Gromer, MD, sleep specialist with the Minnesota Sleep Institute in Minneapolis, agrees that memory foam may improve sleep. "It can, if it relieves painful pressure points," she says. But Gromer adds that memory foam doesn't do anything for sleep apnea or other sleep-breathing disorders -- and sleep disorders are the primary complaint of most her patients. "When you lie on the memory foam, the heat from your body softens it in appropriate points," Arand says, "so this helps to support your body along the curves and natural lines of the body." Memory foam manufacturers claim this helps relieve pain and thereby promotes more restful sleep. And, though consumers often believe that very firm mattresses are best, more "giving" mattresses like these may lead to better sleep in people with back pain, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Although there aren't scientific data to support the hypothesis, Arand wonders whether memory foam sleep surfaces might be especially helpful for older people. For them, minimizing extra movement could reduce the number of times they awaken during the night. Being less aware of a bed partner's movements might be an extra benefit, she adds. "Without the coiled springs, you feel your sleep partner's movement less, and that might help, too." What Are the Disadvantages of Memory Foam? Gromer says that memory foam products may retain body heat, which could make them less comfortable in warm weather. However, Arand has not heard this complaint from her patients. "In our culture, most people can adjust their thermostats or blankets for the appropriate season," Arand says. When new, memory foam can produce an odd chemical smell -- a phenomenon called offgassing. To minimize this problem, the Sleep Products Safety Council, a sleep products trade group, recommends airing out the mattress or pad for at least 24 hours before putting sheets on it.
"If you follow directions, the smell dissipates quickly," Arand says, "But I've never heard of anyone having reactions to it." Are Memory Foam Products Safe for Young Children? "I would strongly recommend avoiding this and similar very soft materials for use in infants' beds," Gromer says. "That's because soft bedding traps [carbon dioxide] and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths."Here are the most frequent questions I have received on how to buy a memory foam topper. I hope they help you make a good decision. at the bottom of this page, you can ask your own questions. also share your own comments or experiences with memory foam. You can also see the questions other people have asked. All it is is a block of memory foam, anywhere from two to four inches thick, the size of your current mattress. It sits on top of the mattress you already have. For example, if you have a queen size bed, you need a queen size topper.To determine what thickness you should buy, here are some guidelines:
Two questions people frequently ask are: If you have a bad back, you have to be careful when buying a bed topper to make sure it has good support. For support, the term you need to be aware of when shopping is memory foam density. High quality toppers will have a density of four pounds (4lbs) or five pounds (5lbs to 5.34lbs). If you have a bad back, your best bet is to get a bed topper that has a density of at least four. A density of five or more would be even better. As for the second question, is memory foam bad for your back? I wrote a detailed article about this called What is the Best Mattress for Back Pain? You can read my article by clicking the Best Mattress for Back Pain box you see on the right up above. If you have any kind of back, neck, or shoulder pain, you're going to want to read that article. You may read comments on websites that have memory foam mattress topper reviews about how a topper can turn any mattress into a luxuryThis is simply nonsense.
That's like saying you can put a fake fur jacket on a pig and turn it into a purebred dog. See, in order for the topper to work, you have to have a good mattress already that the topper can sit on top of. If your mattress is getting into that seven to ten-year-old range, a topper may not help you get a better night's sleep. You may need to be thinking about replacing the entire mattress. Just take a good honest look at the mattress you have. If it's seven years old and still decent, you might be able to keep that mattress going for a few more years if you put a topper on it. However, if your mattress is already worn out, and sagging in the middle, the foam topper will sag too. It's a waste of money because the topper will conform to the underlying foundation. It's probably safe to say you're looking into a topper because you want memory foam... and you also want to save money. Perhaps you just can't pony up the substantial money (often up into the thousands) needed to buy a memory foam mattress.
Just keep in mind that along with what I said above about back pain, a topper is best for the following: If you buy a cheap memory foam mattress topper, you'll be lucky to get a couple years out of it. Poor quality memory foam will quickly lose its support. In fact, you might find the foam is not expanding and remains indented. On the other hand, top quality mattress toppers may last up to about ten years if you take good care of them, although ten years is a stretch. It all depends on how often the topper is used. If you get five years out of your topper and use it all the time, consider it a good investment. Also keep this in mind: a foam topper with a density of at least four pounds will usually last longer. However, they are slightly more expensive. In my part two article, Where to Buy the Best Memory Foam Topper, we'll look at one very important health question about memory foam—toxic chemicals. And I'll give you three short memory foam mattress topper reviews. However, if you just want to jump in and go shopping right now for a memory foam topper, see below.
Nature’s Sleep sells four different topper thicknesses so you’re sure to find something that suits you. These are all certified pure by CertiPUR-US.Their 3-inch 4lb density topper is especially nice. toppers ship for free. I recommend reading the topper comments from buyers on their website. Click here to check out Nature's Sleep memory foam toppers.The Nature’s Sleep toppers I just told you about are plush, top-of-the-line toppers. They cost a little more too because they are first-rate. example, on the Nature’s Sleep website their best seller is the 3 inch, 4 pound But what if you have a limited budget, yet still want a really good topper and can’t afford their excellent best seller? Well check this out. and type in memory foam topper into the search box, Nature’s Sleep does not come up (at the time of me writingNot unless you go to the much deeper pages. However, Nature’s Sleep has put two toppers on Amazon that
are not listed on the Nature’s Sleep website. These two toppers are typical superb Nature’s Sleep quality, yet priced to sell big time. I’m not sure why Nature’s Sleep is doing this. know if this is a limited promotion to get people over to their website. know however that you can get a great price on these toppers if you grab one of You can get a 2.5 inch topper with a density of 3.5 pounds. Or you can opt for the 2.5 inch memory foam topper with 4.5 pounds of density. Both of these are a fabulous bargain. For those with a smaller budget, finally, a top-notch memory foam topper you can afford. Here are the links to Nature's Sleep at Amazon: 2.5 inch 4.5 pound density 2.5 inch 3.5 pound density A good topper will run you several hundred dollars, depending on whatHowever, for just a little more money, you can get a complete luxury mattress that has memory foam in it. you can get an ultra deluxe queen, online, for only $899!
great company that won an award from the Better Business Bureau forA premium mattress of this quality would cost you at least $2,000 in a mattress store.Before you spring for a topper, do yourself a favor and read my article, Maverick Mattress CEO Answers the Question, What is the Best Mattress for You? You can read this article by clicking on the What is the Best Mattress box you see on the right up above. also learn what mattress stores don't want you to know. And, why a top sleep doctor replaced his $2,800 Tempur-pedic with this luxury discount Ask A Question or Share What You KnowAbout Memory Foam and Toppers Add your questions, comments, or experiences with memory foam or a memory foam topper. Tell the world what you know. Enter Your Title (Example: My Memory Foam Topper Experience) Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.What Other Visitors Have Said Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Latex Mattress Topper for Scoliosis Back Pain I have a son with bad scoliosis. He is living in the dorm at college. I bought him a mattress topper but he says it makes him feel like he is sleeping … Water Proof Mattress Pad on Memory Foam Topper? Do I need a water proof mattress pad on my new quality memory foam topper? I’m just wondering if a mattress pad and foam topper will be okay together or … Putting mattresses with memory foam on a box spring Would it be a good idea to put my memory foam mattress on a box spring? I haven't found an answer for this question anywhere I have looked. Best memory foam mattress for breathing problems? Here's my question: Is memory foam safe if you have emphysema (i.e., breathing in the fumes)? It depends on the quality of the memory foam. Memory foam topper on top of memory foam mattress? Is it comfortable to put a 3 inch memory foam topper on top of a 8 inch memory foam mattress?There are two reasons … Will a memory foam topper cut down on tossing and turning?
I found your site in a Google search on memory foam topper. I'm recently married and my wife has trouble sleeping because I toss and turn. Can a Memory Foam Mattress Topper Freeze? I love my memory foam mattress topper. I also bought one for my camper. The sleep my boyfriend and I get is great. Do have a question. Can the memory … Don't Buy a Memory Foam Mattress? Watch out people if you buy a memory foam mattress. I have two that have sagged either side, leaving a hump in the middle. Our newish bed, super king, … Memory Foam Topper on Top of a Futon We've put a memory foam topper on top of our futon. It's not working out ideally. Is it because we need a better foam topper, or is it because you can't … 7 Memory Foam Topper Tips Question: I am thinking seriously about purchasing a memory foam mattress topper and I don't really know what I'm doing. I am overweight so I need something … Memory Foam Mattress is toooo Hot! We currently have a memory form mattress that is a medium firm 11 inch.