A Memory Foam Mattress Topper – Pros And Cons
Thursday, September 24th, 2009There’s no doubt that memory foam beds provide many benefits, like excellent support and good, healthy sleep, along with the fact that while it contours itself to you as its substance is softened by your body heat, it regains its original shape when you get up. If you can’t really afford a full bed, perhaps you might consider a foam mattress topper instead. You might call it something of a mattress enhancer.
But for the sake of your future comfort, you should be aware of some of the drawbacks of foam mattress toppers as well. The reason why memory foam works so well in the first place is that the top 3 inches or so heat up and will change shape, while the lower layer is not affected, remaining cool and firm. This is how much of the good supportive effects are derived. If you don’t already have an existing mattress to provide similar underlying firmness, then the good effects of the foam topper will undoubtedly be lost.
Another crucial factor is that your existing mattress cannot have sags in it, but must be completely flat and firm. A foam mattress topper will rely on the underlying surface for support, and will sag right along with it if it’s not firm or flat. Then as your body heat activates the visco elastic memory foam, it will change shape further, perhaps even accentuating the sagging. You may find that your sleep and comfort are made worse rather than better.
If you don’t have a good underlying mattress, with the very particular and necessary properties of firmness and a very flat surface, then you’ll lose most if not all of the good effects you might have received from the foam mattress topper. So you’ll need to evaluate your situation carefully. If you think you’d do better to get a new, firm mattress as a base, then you might want to look at the total expense of doing that, and reevaluate your whole plan. Your best bet might be to buy a complete memory foam bed after all.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treat anxiety attacks as well as tips on the various panic disorder medications available at anxietydisordercure.com.





