Benefits of Adjustable Bed: Are Adjustable Beds Worth It?

Heartburn/Acid Reflux

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, can be a painful, chronic condition. It happens when stomach acid travels up your esophagus, burning the inside of your chest. Many people call it heartburn because it feels hot and uncomfortable inside the chest.

Acid reflux can happen because of a hernia. It can also occur if you are overweight, a smoker, pregnant, or from dietary choices. Lying down or sleeping on your back can worsen the symptoms of heartburn, particularly if it happens after you eat.

Heartburn can be uncomfortable and can cause long-term health complications. If you have many incidents, it can damage your esophagus, causing it to narrow, inflame, or even develop cancer. It can also damage your respiratory system, teeth, and even your voice.

Adjustable beds can alleviate acid reflux. While your head is elevated, the acid cannot travel as far up your esophagus. This gives your body more time to get rid of it and prevents exposure inside your chest and throat. This can reduce your discomfort and overall reduce the frequency of it happening.

Back Pain

Adjustable beds can help you sleep more easily if you have back pain from an injury or chronic condition. Because you can elevate your neck and knees, it causes less pressure to your spine and muscles.

There are a few conditions that can be improved by using an adjustable bed:

Circulation and Inflammation

Many adjustable beds allow you to prop up your knees and elevate your legs. This can have multiple health benefits, particularly improving circulation and reducing inflammation.

When your legs are higher than or level with your chest, gravity helps blood flow through your body. This movement of blood can also remove excess fluid that can accumulate and cause inflammation. Lastly, it can lower your blood pressure because the blood doesn’t get stuck in your legs.

This can be beneficial if you have or live with any of the following conditions:

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep condition. It refers to when you stop and start breathing several times while sleeping. This usually happens because your throat muscles are overly relaxed or because your brain is not controlling your breathing muscles.

It usually causes loud snoring and also has a host of other health complications. Sleep apnea can reduce your quality of sleep, making you feel more tired during the day. It can also increase your blood pressure and risks of heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, or metabolic disorders. Overall, it puts your health at risk in the long-term.

Adjustable beds can reduce the effects of sleep apnea because they elevate your head. The head elevation is non-intrusive enough that it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable, but it can stabilize the upper airways. If you use a CPAP machine for your sleep apnea, an adjustable bed can reduce your reliance and symptoms.

This is also true for people with paralysis and sleep apnea. The raised sleeping position allows the pharynx to operate correctly, which reduces the symptoms of this sleep disorder.

Overall, by reducing sleep apnea symptoms, adjustable beds can improve your sleep quality and minimize long-term health complications.

Snoring

Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea or a standalone condition. It is caused by the movement of air across your throat tissue, producing the annoying and often loud sound. It may happen because of your throat structure, sleeping position, allergies, illness, weight, or other factors.

Other than being annoying for your sleeping partner, snoring also has negative health implications. It can leave you feeling more tired during the day, more irritable, and reduce your concentration. It may also increase your risk for heart disease.

Elevating your neck can often prevent snoring. Adjustable beds can do this by raising your head and improving airflow through your throat. The angle is enough to reduce snoring and little enough that it doesn’t affect your comfort or sleep quality.

Price

Adjustable beds can be expensive. They can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the model. While the same can be said for premium mattresses, you will be hard-pressed to find a very cheap adjustable bed.

Weight

Adjustable beds are significantly heavier and bulkier than regular mattresses. This could be problematic if you need to move house or rearrange your furniture. It will also take up more room, so it could feel cramped in a small bedroom.

Noisy Frame

The frame of an adjustable bed has more mechanisms than a regular bed frame. Therefore, it might creak or make other sounds. If you toss and turn while you sleep, this could annoy you or your sleeping partner.

Compatible Bedding

Adjustable beds may have different dimensions to standard mattresses. Therefore, it could be challenging to find compatible bedding like sheets, blankets, and quilts. You may need to purchase from a specialty store, which can be more expensive.