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Memory Foam Bed Information

TopicGuru | Aug 23, 2009 |

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A memory foam bed usually refers to a mattress made of memory foam, placed on a bed frame of any type. Fans of the memory foam mattress claim they provide better support while sleeping, particularly of the spinal column, providing a higher quality sleep. Many people have also found this extra support helps reduce symptoms of joint pain and back and spinal problems. Those who are restless and move around in their bed frequently may find the move around less due to this increased support.

The memory foam material was developed as part of the NASA space exploration program and was designed to increase comfort and safety of seating provided in it's spacecraft. Memory foam never made it into any spacecraft, however it soon found commercial uses most notably in pressure relieving mattresses for use in medically unwell patients who were confined to bed to aid in the prevention of bed sores. These mattresses were popular with patients and they became increasingly available on the consumer market. Now most major bed manufacturers have a line of memory foam beds in their range.

The memory foam is made from polyurethane foam with additives to alter it's properties. These additives make the foam more firm and supportive. When laid upon, the foam rapidly reaches body temperature and the warmer foam become softer. The body sinks into the foam and this spreads the weight of the body evenly across all areas in contact with the mattress.

The mattresses are usually treated with flame retardants to prevent accidental ignition from cigarettes, candles etc. The mattresses are available with a variety of thickness's of foam, some combining a more traditional pocket sprung mattress with a memory foam "topper". Other mattresses may be made entirely from memory foam and have differing zones offering differing levels of support for differing parts of the body. As with traditional mattresses, memory foam mattresses are available in a range of soft to very firm support.

They are also available in all regular bed sizes from single through double and queen to king size. Critics of these memory foam mattresses often cite the smell of a new memory foam mattress to be a big drawback. The mattresses can smell of the chemicals used in manufacture initially and some sensitive people can detect the smell even in very well aired mattresses. Others dislike the warmth of the mattresses. They reach the same temperature as your body rapidly which can be an advantage in warm and cool climates but a disadvantage in hot climates. Some with limited mobility may have difficulty getting up from a memory foam bed due to their sinking into the foam.

A Memory Foam Bed is not suited to young children or babies as they will not be able to turn themselves easily in the beds and this may increase the risk of suffocation. It is claimed that memory foam mattresses will last longer on divan(captain) or slated bed frames than on wire link frames due to their increased support and better weight distribution.