A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Rest of the Sleep Disorders Forum Posting


Archived Rest Forum4 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Rest Forum Homepage.

Re: Honest Info About Mattresses (From Apnea Forum 49)

Posted by Honest Expert on January 16, 2001 at 21:33:37:

In Reply to: Re: Honest Info About Mattresses (From Apnea Forum 49) posted by Sore Feet on January 16, 2001 at 21:32:08:

Dear Sore Feet,

Your idea that a pillowtop mattress might make Sleep Apnea worse is very intriguing! I had never considered this possibility.

Allow me to think out loud for a moment:

The reason that you buy a pillowtop mattress, usually, is because of the extra padding and the softer feel, without a sacrifice of support that could come from softer or fewer springs. This will allow the heavier parts of the body to sink deeper into the padding, but not the head and neck which are not that heavy. Since part of the problem with Apnea is sleeping position -- sleeping in a position that allows the windpipe to be pinched -- it stands to reason that the body sinking deeper into the padding (but not the head and neck) COULD cause a little greater restriction that could cause an increase in in Apnea symptoms: Meaning less O2 absorption. Of course, this would probably be true only when you sleep on your back.

I see no reason why this might not be true! (VERY GOOD!!!)

On the other hand, it is probably unlikely that there is *any other* reason that a pillowtop mattress would restrict oxygen intake or blood circulation. It is not likely that the pillowtop is creating enough pressure points to do this, since part of the idea is to have a SOFTER feel from this type of mattress.

My first question about whether the mattress may be contributing to a more severe result of Apnea is to ask if you changed your pillows at the same time? (I know, it is an odd question!)

If you are sinking deeper into the mattress as a result of the pillowtop but using the same pillows as before, it may be causing your head to be at a steeper angle than it was previously, meaning a greater pinching of the windpipe (noting that a small change in sleep angle may result in a threshold-crossing difference).

Or, if you are using new pillows that may be fuller and fluffier than the ones used before, the same thing can happen. Even if you are using one of the neck-supporting molded pillows, it still could be too thick for the depth you are penetrating into the mattress.

Try this test: Try laying on the pillowtop mattress without any pillows at all. Do you find that this feels more comfortanbe and supportive than doing the same thing on your old mattress did? If so, it means that the gap between the depth of penetration for the back and the depth of penetration for the head has widened ... meaning you probably now need a thinner pillow.

The problem is, it is baffling that both you and your wife are experiencing the same thing. These sorts of problems are usually specific to a particular person's body design. To the best of my knowldege, there is nothing inherently harmful about the design of a pillowtop mattress. All mattress designs will have some people who cannot sleep on them; who have problems. These happen roughly equally.

(Your Chiropractor will have seen problems arising from ADJUSTING TO THE FEEL of a new pillowtop -- it being softer -- while people's bodies get used to the different positions and muscles involved. I can almost guarantee that what people have complained to him about with a pillowtop was muscle ache in the muscles of the lower back [the achiness can then, of course, disrupt sleep]. It is a very common complaint when people switch to a softer bed and usually ends within a couple of weeks. I'd be willing to bet a large-sized Dairy Queen cone on it!)

I may be able to give more and better answers with more information:

What size mattress do you have?

How old is it?

Have you been rotating and turning it regularly?

How much did you pay?
(Remember, this is an anonymous forum. Knowing the approximate price will help me guage what quantity and quality of padding it has. Unfortunately, "premium" from one brand may be only "medium quality" from another; and "top of the line" from one store may only mean it is the best they CARRY, but far from the best the manufacturer makes. I see this ALL THE TIME, particularly with department stores and discounters!)(Or, feel free to e-mail me if you want to keep this private, but bear in mind that better disclosure may help more people.)

Is the pillowtop showing body-impressions? How deep would you guess?
(A broom-handle across the bed as a straightedge and measuring the depth is the best way to tell).

How long have your feet been hurting in relation to haw long you've had your mattress?

How were you using your feet differently when you were on vacation as compared to everyday? Were you getting more exercise that may have put more O2 into your feet throughout the course of the day?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If we work together, we may be able to come up with a solution for you, your wife and anyone else who may be reading along!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Follow Ups:


Archived Rest Forum4 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Rest Forum Homepage

  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved