Hospital Bed Mattresses – Take Care of Bed Sores & Pressure Points

Bed sores and pressure points are two big nuisances for patients especially for those whose movement is impaired. The position adjustments of hospital beds can take care of the problem to some extent. However, bed sores and pressure points are still unavoidable. Whether you are a hospitalized patient or have been on bed for a while due to some ailment, the mattress you rest on can help will give you sores. Normally, patients with back or joint problems are recommended mattresses with high density foam. Let’s find out the two main contenders that can help in keep bed sores and pressure points at bay. Memory Foam A material originally developed by NASA was known as temper foam. The material was a shock absorber used in airplane seats. The idea was to provide comfort and shock protection. It is also known as the memory foam and due to its shock absorbance properties; the material is used in various other products. For instance, it is used to insulate football helmets, soles of your shoes and most importantly as a padding material in hospital beds. This visco-elastic material supports body weight in high pressure zones and as a result prevents pressure points. This foam has the tendency to return slowly back to its original shape when the applied weight is removed. The foam also has plastics that further attribute to the conforming properties of this foam. Not only does this foam prevents bed soles but also acts as a remedy to heal the already existing ones. Latex Foam If you call memory foam a success, latex foam mattress is one step ahead. The material latex comes from milk of rubber tree. The feature that makes this material perfect for hospital bed mattress is that it is made out of breathable cells. This means, the mattress will remain cool during summer and keep the patient warm during winter. Due to this property, the temperature of the mattress will stay in control at all times. Not to forget a big reason for the generation of bed soles is uneven temperature difference in hospital bed mattresses. Another important property that makes latex a favorite is the tendency to spring back to its original shape the moment weight is shifted while sleeping. Latex Vs Memory Foam The benefits of both memory and Latex foam can’t be ignored. Both these foams are ideal for a mattress. They can effectively repel mildew and dust mite preventing any possible chances of infection. Besides, both these foams have conforming properties through they vary. The point of emphasis is that both these materials provide relief against bed sores and pressure points. However, the difference in these high density foams is what makes one more favorite. The fact that latex quickly conforms and adjusts according to the body shape gives this material an edge over memory foam. In case of memory foam, it depends on the heat of the body to mould and shape the material. As far as durability is concerned, the high density memory foam is more durable and more comforting. rnHowever, a common complaint about this mattress is that it gets warm when you sleep on it. Both are known to provide relieve against bed sores and pressure points. It all goes down to the personal comfort level when you compare the two foam mattresses. If the patient is happy with the slow springing back motion then memory foam has everything they want. But if they want a springier hospital bed mattress then Latex is the material for them.