Coast To Coast Mattress, Bed & Sleep Articles
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Mattress Buying - Tips On How To Shop
Still sleeping on an old, sagging mattress because you absolutely dread the idea of shopping for a new mattress? Fear no more! This piece will give some mattress buying tips that will ease your worries and equip you with the knowledge you need to buy the most important piece of furniture in your home.
Comparison Shopping
First, when shopping for a new mattress it is important to shop by value, not by price. A good quality mattress will have thicker coils, more padding and inevitably a higher price tag. However, mattress retailers often have sales and promotions that offer quality name brand mattresses for as much 50% off. Therefore, it is important to comparison shop to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck.
Another way to save money on purchasing a new mattress is to buy online. Usually, online mattress retailers sell the same or similar mattresses for less than you’ll find in a brick and mortar store because online retailers don’t have to pay for store space and sales staff. The money they save in overhead expenses is thereby passed on to the consumer. In addition, some online retailers offer free shipping in the United States and no sales tax to all states except for the one the company is registered in. You’ll save hundreds of dollars from free delivery and no sales tax alone!
Features to Look for in a Good Mattress
When shopping for a new mattress there are several features that a good quality mattress will have. The features you’ll want to pay close attention to are: comfort layers, support, and durability.
First, mattress padding on the top and in the middle of a mattress are a sign of good, quality components. Years ago it was thought that the harder the mattress the better, but studies show that you’ll sleep better when your mattress has some degree of concavity and cradles your body. Mattress padding creates soft comfort layers from luxurious materials that cradle your body and offer a better feel.
Next, you'll want to take notice of the coil count and wire gauge of the mattress set. The more coils a mattress has - the better the quality of mattress it will be. However, the highest number of coils doesn’t mean that the mattress is the best one for you. The gauge of coil indicates how soft or firm a mattress is, the lower the gauge of the coil, the stiffer or firmer the mattress is. The coil unit of the mattress provides back support, so you'll want to purchase a mattress that allows your spine to align in its natural curve. You’ll want to pay attention to your shoulders, hips, and lower back. Too much support in these areas can create uncomfortable pressure.
Finally, the quality of the materials used and the workmanship of the mattress and foundation directly affect the durability of the product. If you want your new mattress set to last as long possible then follow these tips:
- Buy the highest quality mattress set that you can afford.
- Use the matching boxspring/foundation. Manufacturers make both the mattress and the boxspring to work together. Putting a new mattress on an old, worn out boxspring will compromise the performance of the mattress significantly.
- Use the appropriate frame required for your mattress size. Please note that queen size mattress models require a frame with a center support rail and leg that extends to the floor. King size mattress models require a center support rail with two legs that extend to the floor.
- Most mattresses are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. A good quality mattress will have at least a ten year warranty. However, the length of your warranty should not determine how long you keep your mattress. Your warranty protects you from poor workmanship and defects, not gradual loss of comfort or support. Your warranty may be good for ten years, however, it is possible that you may have to replace your mattress after just seven years.
Mattress shopping does not have to be a frightening experience. Please feel free to use these tips to find out what type of mattress is the best fit for you. Remember, shop for the best value and then buy the best mattress that you can afford. If you shop online, you may save some headache and plenty of money while you're at it…. good luck!
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Types of Back Pain and Mattresses That Can Help
In regard to your health, the most important piece of furniture you own is your mattress. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. An uncomfortable mattress can have a negative effect on the quantity and quality of your sleep. This is especially the case for millions of back pain sufferers who have been ill advised over the last several decades that a firm mattress is best for them. In actuality there are several factors to consider when choosing the best mattress for you, including: the type of back problem you are experiencing, your sleep position, mattress support, and your comfort preference.
Different types of mattresses help alleviate pain for different types of back problems and symptoms. People with lumbar disc problems have symptoms that include a shooting pain in one leg from the top of the buttock to the lower leg or foot accompanied by numbness, the feeling of “pins and needles”, or leg weakening. Those suffering from this condition would benefit from a firm mattress as a bending or flexing mattress can be very uncomfortable.
Sufferers of spinal stenosis experience pain, cramping or numbness in the back, legs, arms, and shoulders and function better in a flexed or loose position. Therefore, a slightly softer mattress works better for them. The most common back pain complaint is lower back pain. Usually people experience an aching dull pain in the center of the lower back. A clinical study out of Spain showed that a medium firm mattress is generally better at relieving chronic back pain than a firmer model. However, there isn’t one single style of mattress that works best for everyone with lower back pain.
In conjunction with the type of back pain you suffer from, another factor to consider is the position in which you sleep. If you have a lumbar disc problem then sleeping on your stomach with a flat pillow under your stomach and hips is probably the most comfortable position for you because it reduces stress on the degenerated disc in your lower back. A firmer mattress is best for sleeping on your stomach while a softer mattress will cause an uncomfortable arch in your back that will worsen your condition.
People with spinal stenosis are most comfortable sleeping on their side in the fetal position with a pillow between their knees. A medium firm or firm mattress is good for this sleeping position but most people prefer a thicker padding to reduce pressure on their hips and shoulders. Finally, those suffering from lower back pain should sleep lying on their back with a pillow under their knees to relieve pressure from the lower back. There is no single mattress style that works for all people with back pain, but people with lower back pain should choose a mattress that offers support, comfort, and ultimately, a good night’s sleep.
Another major factor in choosing a mattress is the support that mattress provides. A supportive mattress will offer the right balance of support and concavity in order to allow the spine to align naturally. There are several components of the mattress that contribute to how supportive a mattress set is. First, mattress springs and coils are the most important features of a mattress that provide back support. The coil gauge of mattress denotes how stiff or firm a mattress is. The lower the gauge of the coil, the thicker and stiffer the wire, thus, the firmer the mattress. Furthermore, the higher the coil count of a mattress, the better the quality. However, a higher coil count does not necessarily mean a more comfortable or supportive mattress.
The next component of a mattress set that affects back support is the foundation, or boxspring. The foundation/boxspring absorbs weight for the mattress. It is important to purchase the boxspring designed to match your mattress because manufacturers design both pieces to work together. A mismatched set may adversely affect the longevity of your mattress and the level of support the mattress provides.
Finally, the most important key to mattress buying is to buy what is comfortable for you. No two of us are the same when it comes to what we need from our mattress. Therefore, it is important to take time to actually try the mattress out, especially if you suffer from chronic back problems. It is suggested that you spend at least ten minutes on several different mattresses. Turn over from side to side and make sure that mattress provides enough support to allow the spine to rest in its natural state. The mattress quilt and just beneath the quilt, in the middle of mattress, consist of mattress padding made of polyurethane foams, puffed up polyester, and cotton batting. These materials affect the firmness of the mattress. Generally, people find that mattresses with more padding are more comfortable.
Overall, when choosing a mattress, consider all of the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the best mattress for your back pain is the one you find most comfortable for you and your sleep preferences.
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Sleep Disorders and Popular Treatments
The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that 40 million people in the United States suffer from sleep problems. Sleep disorders affect a person’s overall quality of life and are related to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, the quantity of sleep, quality of sleep, and level of alertness during the day. There are 81 official sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorders are sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Most sleep disorders can be helped by changing personal habits and behaviors. Nightmares, sleepwalking, headbanging, bedwetting, and teeth grinding are just a few sleep problems called parasomnias. Parasomnias are disorders that disrupt sleep.
Sleep apnea is a disorder of breathing during sleep usually accompanied by loud snoring. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen when they sleep and experience brief moments throughout the night where breathing stops. There are two types of sleep apnea; obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is caused by an obstruction in the airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused by a delay in the signal from the brain to breath and is difficult to diagnose. In both types of apnea, a person wakes up briefly several times during the night to breathe, usually with no knowledge of doing so. Sleep apnea can be a life-threatening condition if it goes undiagnosed and untreated for a long period of time. The severity of the condition determines how it should be treated.
Mild sleep apnea can be treated with behavioral changes including losing weight and sleeping on your side. However, there are also devices that a person can wear during sleep to help keep the airway open. Moderate to severe sleep apnea is usually treated a machine called the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) that blows air into your nose via a nose mask. The continuous air keeps the airway open and unobstructed. A Bi-level PAP(Bi-PAP) machine is used for more severe cases of apnea. The bi-level machine blows air at two different pressures; higher pressure when a person inhales and lower pressure when a person exhales. In cases where CPAP can not help or when a person has a facial deformity that causes sleep apnea, surgical procedures to increase the size of the airway are needed.
Insomnia is another sleep disorder involving difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, and sleep state misperception. At times, life events can cause insomnia but it is usually temporary. This is called transient or short-term insomnia. Chronic insomnia involves sleeping poorly most nights for a month or longer. There are usually a number of factors involved including physical and or mental disorders. Depression is the most common cause of chronic insomnia. However, chronic insomnia may also be due to the misuse of caffeine, alcohol and drugs. Chronic insomnia can also be caused by a disruption in the sleep/wake cycle, like shift work and other nighttime activities. Anxiety about sleep and/or chronic stress are other behaviors that can perpetuate insomnia. Medication and behavioral treatment can help with transient, short term and chronic insomnia.
Transient and short term insomnia may not need to be treated because the episodes only last a short period of time. For example, if insomnia is due to a disruption in the sleep cycle, usually a person’s biological clock will readjust to normal on its own. However, short-acting sleeping pills are available for those that experience impaired performance due to day time sleepiness from insomnia. The first step for treating chronic insomnia is diagnosing and treating the underlying medical or psychological problem causing the sleeplessness. This can be followed by identifying and stopping or reducing behaviors that may worsen insomnia. Finally, the use of sleeping pills prescribed at the lowest dose for the shortest duration needed can also be beneficial. Behavioral techniques such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy and reconditioning are also effective and safe.
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep condition where a person continues to experience an irresistible need to sleep no matter how much sleep they get. It is mostly a hereditary condition but only prevalent in about 0.3% of the population. Symptoms include, excessive sleepiness, temporary decrease or loss of muscle control (especially when excited), vivid dream-like images when drifting off to sleep or waking up unable to move or talk for a brief time. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 15 and 30 with a peak in the teenage years. There is no cure for narcolepsy, however, behavior and medical therapy can help control symptoms.
The excessive daytime sleepiness is usually treated with a stimulant drug. Muscle weakness and REM sleep symptoms are treated with antidepressants. The medications reduce symptoms but don’t alleviate them and some medications may have side effects. Maintaining a routine sleep schedule, a good diet, increased exercise and avoiding exciting situations are lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and muscle weakness. With proper medication and support from friends and family, most individuals with narcolepsy enjoy a nearly normal lifestyle.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a discomfort or prickly/tingly feeling in the legs relieved by moving or stimulation the leg. The most unusual aspect of this condition is that relaxing or lying down tends to activate the symptoms. Therefore, most people with RLS have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. When undiagnosed and untreated RLS can cause daytime fatigue and extreme exhaustion. 80% of persons with RLS also experience periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). PLMD is associated with involuntary leg twitching or jerking movements occurring every 10 to 60 seconds throughout the night. The causes of RLS and PLMD are unknown, however, they can be treated.
Mild to moderate cases of RLS can be treated with lifestyle adjustments including reduction of caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, and tobacco. Taking a hot bath, taking vitamin supplements, using a heating pad and maintaining a regular bedtime routine can also relieve some symptoms of RLS. Dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants are the types of drugs that physicians prescribe to treat the disorder since there is no one drug to help everyone with RLS. RLS is a lifelong condition that can be managed but usually gets worse with age.
If you experience lack of sleep, too much sleep, non-breathing spells during sleep, or exhaustion is interfering with your daily life, contact your health care provider for assistance.
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Tips & Facts For a Better Night's Sleep
Sleep is as essential to your body as food and water. Your health, attitude, and performance are directly affected by the quantity and quality of sleep you obtain. Sleep experts suggest an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, some people are fully functional and alert with less yet others need ten or more. Heredity is one factor that determines how people sleep, nonetheless, age is the most important influence on how much sleep you require.
The following table list the hours of sleep required for each age group:
Ages Hours of Sleep Required
0-2 months 10.5 to 18
2-12 months 14 to 15
1-3 years 12 to 14
3-5 years 11 to 13
5 -12 years 10-11
Teens 8.5 to 9.25
Adults/Older Persons 7 to 9
Several factors can affect the quantity and quality of sleep including caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, exercise and sleep hygiene.
Caffeine blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter that promotes sleep. For some people, one cup of coffee in the morning can interfere with their sleep at night. In order to promote a good night’s sleep you should not have any caffeine after 2pm.
Nicotine is a stimulant to the central nervous system making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco at least one to two hours before bed time.
Alcohol is a depressant and can help some people fall asleep, however; it adversely affects the quality of sleep. Alcohol is metabolized in a few hours and can cause middle of the night wakefulness.
Exercise is the only healthy way to increase the amount of deep sleep you experience. However, exercising right before bedtime can make it more difficult to fall asleep. The best time to exercise is late afternoon or at least three hours before bedtime.
Your sleep hygiene is important to quality nighttime to sleep and your level of alertness in during the day. Maintaining a regular bedtime routine is the most critical part of good sleep hygiene. The environment you sleep in should be cool, dark and free of distractions like music or television.
If you are having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, sleeping excessively, or experience abnormal behaviors during sleep then you may have a sleep disorder. In that case you should contact your health care professional.
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