iMattress Blog

Archive for the ‘Heath’ Category

Howard Stern’s studio was hit with bed bugs and Stern’s paranoia kicked in, “I was scratching every minute.” Bill Clinton gets mocked on late night TV for having yet another guest besides his wife in bed with him, which is only fitting that a politician gets lumped together with other blood suckers.  From Abercrombie and Fitch in New York to airplanes and movie theaters, bed bugs are back with a vengeance.  New York being a very transit city and having mass numbers in skyscraper apartment complexes is perhaps at the epicenter of this bed bug pandemic. Reports from New Zealand are now flowing in about their country experiencing a rapid rise in these creepy crawly blood suckers. There is no doubt, that the old rhyme has found a new time.

Where do bed bugs hide?

These parasitic insects feed on the blood of mammals. They were so named bedbugs due to fact that they are most commonly found in bed mattresses. Bed bugs being nocturnal would make the bed of the un-expecting host their home, for easy access. Prior to the invention of electricity, many more hours were spent in bed at night. In today’s fast paced open 24 hours for business, bed bugs nocturnal life style has hit the streets as well.  Your mattress no longer matters.  Bed bugs will infest couches, the cushions of transit vehicles, the movie theater’s recliners.  If there is a night life, a little fabric, and enough to drink, bed bugs can and will invade.

How do bed bugs spread?

Bed bugs primarily spread from the clothing or fur of the host as the host travels.  Hotels are frequented by mass volumes of visitors, and are even the retreat of individuals whose homes are being treated for bed bugs.  Bed bugs also spread as laundry is being moved.  Large apartment complexes are rapidly infested by the proximity of the residents.  Bed bugs will also drop to the carpet, and slip through cracks.  So they can spread by crawling from room to room, contaminating multiple dwellings in apartments. Bed bugs are difficult to control because most people do not know when the intrusion begins.

Signs of bed bugs.

Bed bugs will often go undetected for the first week or two, allowing time for the population to grow.  Their bites carry no sting to them, so most will only begin to notice bites as the numbers increase. The multiple bites will look like a rash. Bites may also line up in a row, which is a distinctive characteristic to bed bug bites. Spots on sheets from blood or brown spots of bed bug fetus are good signs to look for. Bed bugs can also be found hiding in the corners of the mattress. Or in the crevices of screws on the bed posts. Checking your hotel mattress isn’t a bad idea when traveling. Look for blood spots on the mattress itself and check the corners. It may even be wise to carry your own protective bed bug cover or stay in hotels that use mattress covers.

How to protect yourself.

Prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Get mattress covers. While this will not guarantee protection of your home, it is the best deterrent you have. And with bed bugs they are far easier to prevent than cure. You should also wash all of your clothes, used or not after traveling.  Storing your suitcases away from your bed is also advisable. If your home becomes infested, you can attempt to treat your home for bed bugs yourself.  There are do-it-yourself pest control solutions for bed bugs but due to the tenacity of these creatures, it is best to call a professional pest control service. Treatments for bed bugs will take time and effective solutions are not cheap. Find a company that will guarantee their work and that will continue to come back until the problem is solved.  Cooperate with the company you employee as well.  You may be asked to wash all of bedding, on a regular schedule.  You may be asked to keep clothing of the floor and away from beds. Bed bug treatments may even require that the premises are vacated for a few weeks until the site is sterile.

In conclusion, if you don’t want the bed bugs to bite then learn to protect yourself. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Which mattresses and materials work best for which types of sleepers, i.e. 4″ topper for a side sleeper versus a 2″ topper for a stomach sleeper?

Everyone has their favorite sleeping position. Some people have to lie on their backs to sleep. Others can’t sleep unless they are on their stomachs. Many people like sleeping on their sides. Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that all mattresses are not created equal. One mattress may be perfect for one person and completely wrong for another. Understand which types of mattresses are best for you and your sleeping position.

Firm mattresses are great for back sleepers. Don’t be misled. Firm does not mean hard when talking about mattresses. If you are a back sleeper, it is important to get a firm mattress to keep your spine aligned. It is also helpful to use a pillow or wedge under your legs when you are on your back. This reduces the traction from the muscles that are connected to your spine. Back sleepers should choose a firm mattress that offers support to the spine, while also allowing comfort for the muscles and joints.

Side sleepers require a different mattress than back sleepers or stomach sleepers. Although firm mattresses work better for back sleepers than they do for side sleepers, don’t assume that a soft mattress is better for those that sleep on their side. If you are a side sleeper, choose a semi-firm mattress that will offer your spine support. Also, choose a mattress that will conform to your individual body. You must put a pillow or wedge between your legs to prevent your spine and pelvis from rotating. Try a good quality memory foam mattress, along with a memory foam pillow between your legs.

It is actually not recommended that you sleep on your stomach. This is because of the rotational position that your neck has to be in for a long period of time. But, if you can’t make the switch to lie on your side or back, there are still some things you can do to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Use a mattress that is soft enough on the surface to substitute as a pillow. Try not to use a pillow as it will cause your neck to be further rotated. You can find comfort when lying on your stomach if you choose a softer mattress, but is still firm enough to provide support.

Back sleepers will require the firmest mattress. Side sleepers should get a slightly less firm mattress. Stomach sleepers will require the softest mattress to compensate for the lack of pillow. Remember, these are recommendations only. Choose a mattress that is firm enough to provide support to your spine and joints, yet one that will give you the comfort that you need.  Here is a good read for those of you wondering “how to choose the right mattress topper.”

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How often do you fall asleep at work and would a new mattress help?

How often do you fall asleep at work? Have you ever sat in that board meeting and been bored out of your mind? There have been several times when my husband has called me and told me that he had just fallen asleep at work. He commutes to work and sits in front of a computer all day, so I can only imagine how tired he must get at work. If you have ever fallen asleep at your desk or in your cubicle, it may be time to re-examine your sleep habits.

1. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you making sure you get the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night? If not, try going to bed earlier so you can get the sleep your body needs.

2. Do you go to bed around the same time every night? Your parents tried teaching you this important principle when you were younger. You probably had a set bed time, right? Your parents did this for a reason. Your body gets into different routines. Bedtime is one of these routines. You need to go to bed around the same time each night so your body can adjust and make the most out of it’s sleep time.

3. Do you need a new mattress? Have you been sleeping on the same mattress for 10 years? 15 years? 20 years or more? If so, it is time to get a new mattress. Not only is your mattress probably worn out, but your body has shifted sleeping patterns. As you get older, your body requires more support and comfort. Spend a few extra dollars and make sure you get the sleep you deserve.

Stop falling asleep at work and make the most out of your work day. Examine your bedtime routine and make necessary changes. It may be time to get a new mattress (especially if you are sleeping on the same mattress from college). Set the stage for the perfect nights sleep. You’ll be glad you did (your boss will appreciate it too).