Latex mattresses vs. memory foam mattresses – A comparative study

Mattresses are a necessary item of bedding supplies. We need mattresses to be placed on top of our beds to keep us comfortable during the night or for resting after a long tiresome day at work. We need a restful sleep to increase our productivity at work and a good mattress plays a very important role to help us achieve this.

Among the various types of mattresses available, if you are wondering whether latex mattresses or their memory foam counterparts are more suited for your comfort needs, we have highlighted a few points below that could help you decide.

  • Firmness
    Latex mattresses are firmer than the memory foam ones. This is because the latex ones are comprised of natural materials, whereas memory foam varieties do not contain natural fibers.
  • Components
    If you are looking for eco-friendly mattress options, the latex mattresses would serve your purpose better. The best organic latex mattresses are composed of natural materials such as cotton and wool. However, most latex mattresses available in the market are not fully comprised of natural fabrics. In fact, it is rare to find 100% natural latex mattresses because they are expensive. Companies that manufacture latex mattresses pack only 1-2 inches of the uppermost layers of the mattress with natural materials. The rest of the mattress contains synthetic-based fabrics. Hence, you should check the packaging to know the percentage of natural fibers in the mattress.

    Memory foam mattresses contain plastic materials such as polyurethane in addition to a few other chemicals. The petroleum-comprised memory foam mattresses could contain carcinogens that can be harmful and adversely affect your health.
  • Comfort
    Memory foam mattresses rate higher in comfort features over their latex counterparts. This is because memory foam varieties are soft. Latex mattresses even though firm, are not as soft or comfortable as memory foam ones.

Even though memory form mattresses offer a higher comfort level, the ones made from latex are a healthier option. It is important to weigh all the pros and cons of each type of mattress carefully before you make a decision.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Perk up your dorm room with these 4 affordable twin XL sheets
    In college, your dorm room would be the closest place you will have to your home. Perhaps, you will share your room, yet it will be your most personal space. Doing up your dorm room is one of the initial steps towards making your stay in the University comfortable and familiar. Whether you are the messy kind or the neatly organized kind, your dorm room will be a reflection of your personality. Besides the walls and your desk, your bed would be one of the significant things that you can personalize. And what would be the better way to personalize your bed with beddings and twin XL sheets? A majority of the colleges provide bed linen packages to its students. However, these packages would have sheets, pillow cases and other bedding materials with plain and simple patterns and designs. However, you do have the option of getting your twin XL sheets, pillow cases, and comforter on your own. If you are looking for wacky designs for your bedding, we have got a list of 4 twin XL sheets that you will perk up your dorm room with burning a hole in your pocket. Microfiber sheet set cactus print from Room Essentials: These twin XL sheets from Room Essentials are made from 100 percent microfiber. Printed with minimalist designs of cactuses on a white background, these twin XL sheets have pockets on the sides for you to store small knick-knacks. These sheets are available for sale on Target. Truly soft everyday printed fish twin XL sheet set from Bed Bath & Beyond: This set of twin XL sheets from BED Bath & Beyond are mad of ultra-soft microfiber material that is soft, durable and breathable. The cool blue fish pattern on a white background will perk up your dorm room without going over the top. Truly soft bicycles sheet set from Bed Bath & Beyond: Made of 100 percent microfiber, these sheets are quite comfortable and breathable. With bicycles in blue printed all over, these twin XL sheets will add a touch of fun style to your dorm room. Available in neutral beige color, this sheet is suitable for everyone irrespective of gender or age. These sheets are safe for machine wash and are fully elasticized. Whimsical 300-thread-count elephant print sheet set from Bed Bath & Beyond: These sheets are made of 100 percent cotton and have a soft sateen feel to them. With multi-colored striped elephants printed on a solid navy background, these sheets will add a pop of whimsy to your dorm room decor. These can be easily washed in the machine.
  • 7 foods one should avoid before bedtime
    Finding it hard to sleep at night? Staying away from your phone and reducing psychological stress can help, but these are not enough. You also need to be wise when choosing foods late in the evening and before bedtime. Some foods have ingredients that can induce insomnia and cause tummy troubles, making it hard to sleep well at night. Below, we've listed seven such foods you should avoid eating before hitting the sack. Chocolate Post-dinner chocolate cravings are pretty common, but it's not good when struggling to get proper sleep. Chocolates, especially dark chocolate, contain lots of caffeine, which can prevent you from getting deep, restful sleep. Coffee Talking about caffeine, it's hard not to mention coffee. A shot of espresso is a go-to late-night drink for many, but it can hurt your objective of sound sleep. Coffee contains very high levels of caffeine, more than dark chocolate. So, it's best to avoid any type of coffee at least six hours before bedtime. Potato chips Potato chips are fried foods loaded with unhealthy fats. Such foods take long to digest, cause indigestion, and can keep you up at night. Some studies even show that eating lots of fried, greasy foods can cause disturbing dreams. Donuts Donuts are one of the worst foods to eat before sleeping. They're high in both fat and sugar. Too much sugar can cause a spike in blood glucose and then a sudden crash, disrupting sleep patterns. Digestive issues from excess fats can further make matters worse. Wine A glass or two of wine can indeed make you feel relaxed and even drowsy. But, it can also lower sleep quality. Drinking wine just before going to bed can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning to use the bathroom. Oranges Oranges are super healthy, but they shouldn't be your choice of fruit before bedtime. They're highly acidic and can be tough on the digestive system. The acidic nature of oranges is especially harmful to those with acid reflux or a sensitive bladder. Tomatoes There are multiple reasons to skip dishes that contain tomatoes late at night. Tomatoes are highly acidic and can cause heartburn and indigestion. They also have tyramine, an amino acid that can stimulate brain activity, delaying or preventing sleep. You must also avoid using tomato ketchup as a condiment.
  • Complications associated with leukemia treatment
    Leukemia is considered to be among the most fatal of cancers. Most of the issues and challenges about this condition related to the depletion of the normal blood cells of the body, an aspect that can have a ripple effect in damaging various other organs of the body. The different leukemia treatment options can have multiple side-effects as well. Here is a detailed note on the different complications that are associated with treating a type of cancer. What are the complications of leukemia treatment? Leukemia treatment is done by following the standard cancer treatment therapies of radiation and chemotherapy along with stem cell transplant when necessary. However, it has been observed that leukemia can also occur in people who have received radiation for treating other cancers. So, there is a good possibility that standard cancer treatment therapies can have a negative impact too. Frequent infections, excessive bleeding and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in case of stem cell transplant are seen as common side effects of the different treatment methods of leukemia. Some complications related to leukemia treatment are linked to specific types of leukemia. For instance, in case of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), it has been observed that in about 3 to 5% of cases, the condition worsens with the cells transforming into an aggressive lymphoma. Even after receiving leukemia CLL treatments, many patients with this condition tend to develop second cancer or other types of blood disorders. Chronic myeloid leukemia treatments are known to cause complications such as drastic weight loss and anemia. The prognosis of leukemia depends largely on its type as well as the age of the person. Typically, the survival rate is higher in children with some of the treatments showing a higher success rate. However, even in such cases, an expected survival rate extends to 5 years. As far as the recurrence is concerned, this is again based on the type of leukemia, with a general perception that once adequately treated, there is a little chance of a recurrence. There is no denying the fact that leukemia is a dreadful condition. While any form of cancer can be intimidating, the fact that there are no known ways to prevent leukemia makes it one of the most feared types of cancers.
  • Cerebral edema and its management
    Cerebral edema is the increase in the content of brain water, that is when the brain water content rises above the normal levels of 8/10ths. This disorder is usually a result of and response to a primary brain insult. Cerebral edemas are observed in a large number of cases related to brain injuries, including but not limited to toxic–metabolic derangements, inflammatory diseases, primary and metastatic neoplasms, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury. Medical treatment Osmotic therapy: The most effective and quick method of reducing brain bulk and tissue water is Osmotherapy. Osmotic therapy is designed to decrease blood viscosity by sucking the water and fluids out of the brain using an osmotic gradient. These changes trigger a reduction in the ICP (intracranial pressure) and result in an increase of the CBF (cerebral blood flow, i.e., blood to the brain). The most-employed and popular osmotic agent are Mannitol, while another popular one is Glycerol. The latter is a beneficial agent which is employed to patients orally as a 2.5% saline solution in the form of 50g in 500 ml in the daily IV or amounts of 30 ml and given every 4-6 hours. Diuretics: As is with osmotic therapy, the osmotic effect can be extended and lengthened using loop diuretics (Furosemide) after the infusion of an osmotic agent. The loop diuretics can be used as aides. Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are responsible for lowering the ICP (intracranial pressure) chiefly in the vasogenic edema, especially because of its positive effects and consequences on the blood vessel. The edema around the brain tumors, especially the metastatic brain tumors, responds excellently if the treatment is done with a high dosage of Dexamethasone. Hyperventilation: Raised ICP can be reduced in a helpful way using controlled hyperventilation. The cerebral vascular system is susceptible to changes in arterial pCO2, especially when they waver from their usual levels of 40 mm Hg. While the ICP falls as soon as the commencement of hyperventilation happens, the extracellular fluid and the CSF have safeguarding mechanisms which quickly restore the pH level to normal, and the effects of which could last for a long time. Surgical treatment: Sometimes, surgical treatment is suggested for life-threatening shifts in the brain and large hemispherical infarcts with edema. Temporary craniectomy or ventriculostomy could prevent the worsening and could even end up being a lifesaver. In severe cases of hydrocephalus, the VP shunt proves to be a boon.
  • 10 Cyber Monday tablet deals to expect this year
    There are quite a few great Cyber Monday deals on tablets every year. The deals cover all of the popular tablet brands including Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Amazon. This year on Cyber Monday, make sure to jump on the deal you like while the stock is available. As there is still some time for Cyber Monday, let us have a look at last year’s best Cyber Monday tablet deals to give you an idea. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 The Samsung Galaxy tab has premium features and was marked at a bargain deal of $499 (original price $650) last year. The tablet has an 11-inch display, with an 8 MP front camera, a wide 13 MP, and ultrawide 5MP camera on the back. It also has a larger 8000 mAh battery, 6 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD. Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) You were able to save $200 on Apple’s new iPad Pro during the Cyber Monday sales. The tablet features a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and uses Apple’s new M1 chip for incredible performance. It also has USB 4 port with Thunderbolt 3 support to let you connect to different accessories. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 This tablet cum laptop features a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen, 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. It offers 13 hours battery life on a single charge and has two USB-C ports. It was available for $200 on its regular price of $999. Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet The Fire HD 10 has a bigger 10.1-inch screen compared to Fire HD 8 best for consuming content. It has a powerful octa-core CPU and a 12-hour battery life. Priced at $150, this tablet was available on sale for $75. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Amazon offered the 10.3-inch Lenovo Tab M10 Plus for a deal price of $129 (original price $179). It is powered by an impressive 8-core processor with an 8 MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. It has 2 GB RAM and external storage of 32 GB. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite This tablet from Samsung is powered by the Snapdragon 855 processor, with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD for great performance. You must’ve saved $100 on the 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S6 Lite on last year’s Cyber Monday sale. Samsung Galaxy S7 Plus The 12.4-inch AMOLED display Samsung Galaxy S7 Plus priced at $849 was available for $769 letting you save $80. This advanced tablet provides a PC-like performance and has built-in memory of 128 GB, plus a big battery that lasts the entire day. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2021) You were able to get $100 off on the regular price of $899 on the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch last year. This fifth-generation tablet uses the blazing fast M1 chip and features a USB 4 port with Thunderbolt 3 support. The tablet’s 11-inch Liquid Retina display is great for editing photos and watching videos, combined with the four-speaker audio system. Microsoft Surface Go 2 This 2-in-1 device with a stunning 10.5-inch touchscreen was on sale for $399 (original price $549) at Best Buy. It is a tablet with laptop versatility with a battery life of up to 10 hours. It is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 SSD. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab For Cyber Monday, Lenovo offered a 40 percent discount on select Lenovo tablets. Retailing at $269, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab was available at a bargain price of $159. With a 10.1-inch touch display, the tablet has a Snapdragon 439 octa-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage. In the upcoming Cyber Monday sales, snag a stellar tablet deal that is ideal for you. From budget models to premium ones, there will be impressive discounts on all, allowing you to get maximum benefit from the holiday sales season.
  • Benefits of Using Specsavers Hearing Aids
    Hearing loss has become a common issue affecting nearly 50 million Americans every year. Communication is very important to sustain in the world and suffering from hearing loss will definitely isolate you. This is where Specsavers hearing aids come into the picture. They increase the quality of life while improving the safety of people with hearing impairments. They improve your ability to understand what another person is saying and foster better interaction. There are numerous advantages of hearing aids that most people are unaware of. Here are some of the benefits of Specsavers hearing aids:
    Improved directional perception
    Everyone needs to have both ears working properly in order to react and respond in time. The usual perception of a person with a hearing impairment is off as the person receiving input of volume is high on one side and low on the other. This perceptual difficulty can be corrected by using Specsavers hearing aids. They balance the frequency in both ears. This is a safety accessory that helps you to know what objects, person or things are coming closer in every situation.
    Increases the power of earning
    According to research, it has been proved that untreated hearing loss may lead to the decrease in the annual income of a person. The same research has also proved that treating the hearing loss will decrease the chances of deduction in the annual income by 90%. Investing in Specsavers hearing aids will provide many benefits in the long run.
    Available in various models, styles, and sizes
    People often think that hearing aids are easy to notice and ugly. This is just a misconception. With the development of modern technology, the configurations, sizes, and shapes of hearing aids are changing rapidly. There are many models which are placed in the back of the ear and are not easy to notice. Some latest models come in different shapes and sizes which are ultra stylish, but they are noticeable. These latest hearing aids won’t spoil the way you look and you may happily wear them without any worries.
    Reduces the irritation caused by tinnitus
    Tinnitus is a high-pitched clicking or ringing noise in the ears. Most of the tinnitus cases are accompanied by hearing loss. Tinnitus causes a lot of irritation in the ears. Wearing the Specsavers hearing aids will reduce the annoyance. Many models of hearing aids are specifically designed to address issues relating to tinnitus. Wearing these hearing aids to correct the hearing loss also reduces the annoyance and stress.
    Amplifies the targeted sounds
    The advancement of technology has led to the design of many modern hearing aids that help the people with hearing loss in various ways. Specsavers hearing aids come with many profiles, which are designed for identifying different sources of sound. The sounds that are generated from the stored profiles are focused more and you can comprehend them in the crowd too. This is one of the best technologies adopted by the hearing aids that make the lives of people with hearing loss better.
    Improved cognition
    It has been proved in several studies that untreated hearing loss may give rise to dementia and reduced cognitive functioning. Reduced hearing loss can lead to an acceleration of atrophy in some of the auditory areas of the brain and this makes the understanding of the speech more difficult. But the good news is using Specsavers hearing aids will help in reduction of the atrophy while increasing the ability of hearing. Proper treatment of hearing loss will reduce the slow cognitive decline. These are some of the benefits of wearing the Specsavers hearing aids. They can vastly improve the quality of your life and completely compensate for your natural condition. Some hearing aids may also come with additional entertainment features like Bluetooth-based radio and music players. If you are having hearing problems, consult a doctor and invest in these hearing aids today.