Sleeping on the problem: How the wrong mattress could impact your health
Sleeping on the problem: How the wrong mattress could impact your health
A good night’s sleep is essential for overall health, yet many people don’t realize that their mattress could be working against them. Dr. Jose Puangco, service chief for the Hoag Voltmer Sleep Center in Newport Beach and Hoag Sleep Center Irvine, explains why it may be time to rethink what you’re sleeping on:
How could your 'comfortable' mattress be harming your health?
A mattress may feel comfortable at first, but if it doesn't keep the spine in a neutral position, it can gradually place stress on the lower back, hips, and shoulders. That strain often appears as morning stiffness or recurring discomfort. As a mattress loses its supportive structure, people tend to shift positions more frequently during the night, disrupting deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Some mattresses can also trap heat, making it harder for the body to regulate temperature and further interrupting sleep. For people who snore or have sleep apnea, overly soft mattresses can worsen breathing by allowing the head and neck to sink too deeply. Initial comfort can be misleading, and a mattress may still fail to support healthy, sustained rest.
What are some symptoms you should look out for if, in fact, your mattress is causing you pain or harming your health?
Waking up with back, neck, or shoulder discomfort that improves as the day goes on can indicate that a mattress is contributing to pain or affecting sleep quality. Persistent feelings of unrest despite adequate sleep are another warning sign, as is experiencing more comfortable rest in a hotel or on a couch than in one’s own bed. Frequent tossing and turning throughout the night without another clear cause can also signal that the mattress is no longer providing proper support.
How do you know if your mattress isn't working for you?
One way to determine whether a mattress is providing adequate support is to observe how the body feels throughout the night and upon waking. Persistent tension in the hips, shoulders, or lower back, noticeable pressure points, or repeatedly waking in the same position can indicate that the body isn’t resting naturally or receiving appropriate support.
