Living with rheumatoid arthritis means that one has to make several lifestyle changes, aside from taking medication. Using the right mattress can make a big difference in improving comfort while reducing pain. However, many people aren’t sure what the right mattress is for rheumatoid arthritis.
The best mattresses for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis are medium in firmness, provide support, and flexibility. They should also be comfortable for you. Aside from a medium firm mattress, people with rheumatoid arthritis can also consider memory foam, hybrid, latex, and orthopedic mattresses.
Each person has their own comfort level to consider as well as unique needs, so there’s no one best type of bed for rheumatoid arthritis. Read on to learn more about what you should look for in the right mattress to prevent worsening of your condition.
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Best Type of Bed for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Looking for the best mattress for your needs can be challenging. There are many things to consider most especially one’s personal preference and comfort.
However, if you have a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, it’s critical to find the best mattress to sleep comfortably. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect various parts of the body, and it can also affect sleep in many ways. For example, since rheumatoid arthritis causes pain in the joints, hands, wrists, or knees as well as internal organs, it can cause extreme discomfort when lying down.
Having this condition makes it difficult to get a good night’s rest, and not getting enough sleep can worsen rheumatoid arthritis. Without proper sleep, the body will increase production of stress hormones which in turn will activate the inflammatory response, worsening the symptoms of arthritis as well as other health problems. That’s why the right mattress can make a tremendous difference in improving your sleep without adding more injury.
Here are some great mattress types for arthritis:
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses have long been lauded for their ability to contour to the body unlike other bed types. It conforms to aching joints gently while relieving pressure when hugging. Just make sure to choose a memory foam bed that isn’t too soft and has enough bounce to prevent sinking. Memory foam mattresses can also be used with adjustable bases to provide extra support when you’re getting in or out of bed.
Latex
Latex mattresses are also popular for their ability to contour efficiently. Latex is recommended for arthritis sufferers who struggle with mobility because it provides relief from pressure without the hug that memory foam beds are known for.
Hybrid
Hybrid beds offer a balanced mix of contouring and support. It features a coil core which adds more support, beneficial for aligning the spine. Latex beds are recommended for arthritis sufferers who want more contour, cushioning, as well as pressure relief.
Orthopedic mattress
Orthopedic mattresses are designed to relieve joint pressure and pain, mimicking the natural curves of the body and also support the spine. Orthopedic mattresses come in a variety of makes and models, and can be made from latex, innerspring, memory foam, or other materials. What makes these bed types unique is that they are made to alleviate joint pain and back issues, but while any mattress can market itself as orthopedic, these days any high-quality mattress can be considered orthopedic.
Each person with rheumatoid arthritis has a different experience with the condition, and there are also other factors as well as preferences that affect the selection of the right mattress for your specific needs. Differences in body makeup, comfort level, weight, and height all impact the selection of the right mattress.
Here’s what you should look out for when shopping for the best bed for rheumatoid arthritis:
Firmness: When it comes to mattresses, there are three firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm. Generally speaking, a majority of the population prefers medium firm mattresses. It’s both soft enough and has enough firmness to provide support, is comfortable, and helps conform to the body.
Stability: Keep in mind that you should use a mattress that is soft on areas that are most sensitive due to arthritis. While there should be some softness, avoid going too soft. Being able to freely move around while sleeping is essential because this minimizes any stiffness that is caused by sleeping in one position the entire night. Sleeping in a mattress that is too soft will cause you to sink, making it difficult to move efficiently.
Support: When you have any kind of joint pain, you should use a mattress that has a supportive surface and doesn’t sag when you sleep. The ideal supportive mattress is one that distributes weight evenly across the surface. Additionally, it doesn’t just support the spin, shoulders, and neck but also the hips, knees, and legs.
Motion isolation: If you are sharing your bed with someone, it’s even more important to use a mattress with motion isolation. Good examples include quality memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses as they are designed to isolate movement in the mattress so that if your bed mate moves, it won’t affect you.
Conformity: A mattress with just the right firmness should conform to your body shape with minimal bounce. This means that it won’t sink you into the mattress while allowing you to move freely, because when a person is in pain during sleep, it’s natural to subconsciously move into a position you find more comfortable or soothing. The mattress should also conform to your unique contours while keeping the spine aligned to alleviate pressure on painful joints.
Temperature: People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may be extra sensitive to temperature. If this sounds like you, opt for a regulating mattress or a cooling one that you can pair with a heating blanket. There are some bed types that are made with temperature-regulating foam, cooling covers, and other temperature-sensitive features that can come in handy for you.
Trial and warranty: A high-quality mattress is going to be a significant investment. Given that it’s a big purchase, you’re going to want to make sure that you choose the right one, and it’s hard to tell when you only have 10 minutes to try it out in a retail store or none at all when shopping online.
Look for products that offer sleep trials and excellent warranties or refund options so that you have the opportunity to sleep on the mattress while having peace of mind that you can return it if it doesn’t help with your rheumatoid arthritis.
Best Mattress For Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are many excellent mattresses out there that can improve quality of sleep and life for arthritis sufferers. Here are some examples that you can easily find online:
- Novilla Cool Sleep Memory Foam Mattress
- Zinus 8-Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
- Sunrise Bedding 8-Inch Natural Latex Twin Mattress
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make a mattress more comfortable for rheumatoid arthritis?
Aside from choosing the right mattress, there are certain things you can do to improve comfort and reduce pain while sleeping. These include:
Pillow placement: If rheumatoid arthritis affects your neck, opt for arthritis cervical pillows that are designed to support the neck while relieving pain. A flat pillow placed between the knee will also help with knee pain, and a wedge pillow behind you will provide support for your hips.
Sleep position: Various sleeping positions can improve or worsen pain in different areas of the body. For example, if you sleep on your side, you’re more likely to have pressure points in the shoulders and hips as these are the parts that sink into the mattress. People with arthritis pains in the lower back can experience pain when sleeping on their stomachs, so use a thin pillow to reduce neck strain.
The best sleeping position is being on your back since it’s the most natural position that allows you to align your spine. But even if you already sleep on your back, it’s ideal to select a firm mattress that won’t sag at your hips.