Add a Mattress Topper You'd probably add a mattress topper to a regular mattress, so why not take the same route when trying to make a futon bed as comfortable as possible? Check out traditional egg carton-style foam mattress toppers, or see whether a mattress topper made of luxurious memory foam might be your best choice. Slip your mattress topper inside the futon cover, or layer it on top of the mattress, and cover both the futon mattress and the topper with a fitted sheet to hold everything together. Add Supports Under the Futon Mattress Sometimes the best way to make a futon comfortable is not to add something on top of the mattress, but to support it from underneath. Sofa sleepers of all kinds, including futon beds, often could use a little extra support, so consider adding wooden bed slats to provide firmness and prevent any sagging in the middle of the mattress or around the edges. Change Your Futon Mattress A comfortable futon mattress can make all the difference when you want a good night's sleep.
Futon mattresses come in different thicknesses, with thicker mattresses obviously being more comfortable. However, take a look at the material making up the mattress as well. Foam mattresses hold their shape over time better than cotton ones do. If your mattress has to fold up when you turn your futon bed back into a sofa, make sure that your new mattress fits your sofa in its folded form. Add a Featherbed to the Futon Mattress Bring the best of multiple cultures together when you combine your Japanese futon with the European tradition of a featherbed. A featherbed is like a down comforter that you sleep on top of rather than pulling it over you at night. Usually a featherbed is divided into sections to keep the down from migrating to one side of the bed or the other, and it adds a blissful layer of softness and warmth between you and your futon mattress. Layer Comforters on the Mattress Another way to add comfort to your futon sofa is to be literal about it, and turn to a comforter.
Whether you prefer the airy lightness of down or opt for a down alternative to avoid any possible allergies for your overnight guests, layering comforters on top of your futon's mattress can give you that extra layer of cushioning that makes all the difference. An extra benefit of this method is that, if two people are sharing the futon bed, you can customize the extra padding to the preference of each of your guests. Add an Air Mattress Futon beds are often only a foot or less off the ground, and some people find it difficult to sit down that low. To help out your guests who need a more comfortable futon experience, consider placing an air mattress on top of your opened-up futon. This combination can provide a double dose of comfort and support as well as adding that extra bit of height. Look for an air mattress that fits your futon perfectly, and opt for a model that inflates and deflates automatically to make your guest room chores as easy as possible. The resident GP of the Daily Express and a practicing family doctor
Why is my topper mattress giving me lower back pain? Q I never had any back problems until I bought a topper mattress. Since then I have developed lower back pain that I have on and off throughout the day. I thought the topper was meant to help the back. I bought it from a reputable supplier and it helps me sleep very well. Do you know why I am experiencing this? I am 42 and have no other health problems. Lower back pain does not always relate to problems with your mattress [] A. You are assuming your new mattress topper is to blame for your back pain but it is quite possible the two are unrelated. The most common cause of back problems is a mild ligament or muscle strain and although this may be triggered by lifting a heavy object it often starts out of the blue. It is unlikely your mattress caused the pain but it may not be helping it to get better. A good mattress should mould slightly to your body so it provides support along the spine. It should not sag. Very hard mattresses often don’t provide support to the natural curves of the spine and this means they are not ideal for those with bad backs.
The best person to sort out the cause of your pain is a qualified physiotherapist who will also be able to give you exercises to help you to stretch any tense muscles and improve your posture. You will probably also benefit from strengthening your tummy muscles as these play an important role in supporting your body frame. Q I am a 56-year-old woman with small bumps underneath the skin of my forehead. They’re not in my pores as they can’t be pressed out. I did manage to get one out and discovered they are small crystals, the size of a pinhead. Can you tell me what causes them and how I can get rid of them? A These sound like milia spots. They are tiny white or cream spots that usually appear around the temples and occasionally on the sides of the eyes and across the cheeks. They are tiny cysts that are filled with keratin – a protein that gives strength to the skin. Quite why they appear isn’t known but some people are more prone than others. They are not related to diet or skin hygiene and they are neither harmful nor infectious.
They are usually hard to squeeze out so can be a cosmetic nuisance. Try holding a hot flannel on to your face as this softens the keratin. Then use an exfoliating facial scrub as this may help take the surface off the spot. Gently squeeze but don’t use bare fingertips – always cover them with a tissue. Don’t squeeze too hard as you risk causing inflammation and scarring. If a spot is really bothering you your GP may be able to deal with it using a sterile needle (don’t ask for this when the surgery is busy). Alternatively a qualified beautician may be able to remove them. Q My five-year-old daughter is constantly ill with coughs, colds and tummy bugs. She never seems to be completely well for more than three or four weeks at a time. I cook healthy meals, give her multivitamins and she spends much of her time playing outside getting lots of fresh air and exercise. Every time she becomes unwell she makes our baby son ill as well as us. AThis is a familiar tale that I hear from lots of parents.
There are more than 200 different viruses that can cause colds and although you become immune to a strain after you have caught it, that leaves another 199 that can make you ill. The time you are most vulnerable to new infections is during your early childhood when you are mixing with others at nursery or school and it is normal for youngsters to get one cold after another, especially during the winter. Gradually they become immune to a larger number of different strains and that means that by the teenage years they are ill far less often. The good news is that your baby son is catching all those bugs now so hopefully he will be immune to a lot of common strains of virus by the time he reaches school. Further to the letter regarding acupressure wristbands (August 11), I discovered they ease my sickness on ships, planes and cars and I wear them nearly all the time. They also take away the fear of flying as they lower my blood pressure. I too suffer from restless legs (August 4) but have found relief from a cream called Balmosa, used for chilblains and muscular aches and pains.