{"id":250,"date":"2017-10-09T20:42:46","date_gmt":"2017-10-09T20:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wesleepwell.co.uk\/?p=250"},"modified":"2018-03-31T18:28:48","modified_gmt":"2018-03-31T18:28:48","slug":"memory-foam-mattress-vs-orthopaedic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wesleepwell.co.uk\/memory-foam-mattress-vs-orthopaedic\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Buy A Memory Foam Or Orthopaedic Mattress?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you get enough sleep? If you are like most Britons, the answer is probably \u201cNo\u201d! In fact, National Bed Federation\u2019s Sleep Council<\/em> reports that the average adult in the UK only gets about six-and-a-half hours of sleep nightly and that this problem is mostly down to uncomfortable mattresses.<\/p>\n

Dr. Chris Idzikowski representing Edinburgh Sleep Centre<\/em> supports this theory by saying that simply replacing your old bed with a new one could result in an extra three-quarters of an hour sleep every night.<\/p>\n

The reason for this is that as your mattress supports your weight, night-after-night for years, it loses its resiliency. In the course of a decade, it may become 70% less springy and supportive. That\u2019s why the Sleep Council recommends a new mattress every seven years.<\/p>\n

What kind of mattress should you choose? These days there are so many choices in mattress material. If you have back pain issues (or if you want to prevent them) you may have had your eye on orthopaedic or memory foam mattresses<\/a>. Which is better? What\u2019s the difference? In this article, we will answer those questions and more. We will also provide some smart tips on successful mattress shopping. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

What is memory foam?<\/h2>\n

Memory foam is a polymer made using a blend of polyurethane and various chemicals. Polyurethane is a by-product of petroleum refining. This material was developed in the 1970s by NASA for the purpose of cushioning astronauts and protecting them from G-force injuries. Since then, it has become very popular as a material for pillows, mattress toppers and mattresses.<\/p>\n

The appeal of memory foam is that it is usually quite affordable and it can conform perfectly to the contours of a sleeper\u2019s body providing complete support. When the sleeper arises, the foam returns to its original shape gradually.<\/p>\n

There are varying degrees of quality when it comes to memory foam, and the overall quality of the product has improved greatly with the passage of time. Low quality or older memory foam may deteriorate fairly quickly. This can result in two problems:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Loss of support structure.<\/li>\n
  2. Off-gassing of smelly and potentially dangerous fumes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you decide to go with this product, it is best to buy it brand new and investigate the quality and reputation of the products you are considering purchasing. You may wish to look for earth and health-friendly options in memory foam mattresses and bedding.<\/p>\n

    Memory foam can be earth-friendly<\/h2>\n

    Although the original formulation of this product relied entirely on petroleum products, there are plant based (botanical) alternatives. Be sure to research any product you plan to purchase and opt for safer, natural alternatives whenever you can.<\/p>\n

    Most mattresses labeled as being \u201cmemory foam\u201d actually only have a layer of this substance on the top; however, this is not necessarily a bad thing. High quality foam mattresses<\/a> are usually made of several layers of foam of varying densities. This construction provides more balanced weight distribution qualities.<\/p>\n

    Try it out first!<\/h2>\n

    Before purchasing a memory foam mattress or bed topper, you should take it for a test spin. Some people report that even though the material feels luxurious at the outset, it can become very hot when in use for a lengthy time period. Additionally, some sleepers report feeling \u201ctrapped\u201d and having trouble disengaging themselves from the perfectly conformed grasp of the mattress.<\/p>\n

    To deal with the problems of heat and feelings of confinement, you might want to layer a cotton mattress topper on the surface of the memory foam mattress or use a heat resistant bamboo fabric mattress cover. Alternately, look for memory foam mattresses with cooling gel pads built in.<\/p>\n

    Memory foam pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n