It’s estimated that over fifty million people in the United States suffer from allergies, especially in the summer.  Your bedroom can present some very difficult challenges for the average allergy sufferer as there are dozens of opportunities for allergy-aggravating sources, such as bacteria, mold, and mildew growth, to exist in all types of bedding, pillows, mattresses, carpet and drapes.

Reduce your bedroom allergens to ensure a good night’s sleep:

• Use a dehumidifier to reduce mold or mildew growth. Keep the humidity level under sixty percent.
• Reduce the number of dust mites, which trigger asthma and allergies, by using allergy-free bedding covers on pillows and mattresses. Wash your sheets and pillowcases every week in hot water (130 degrees or more).
• Use a vacuum regularly in the bedroom, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.  A powerful vacuum makes a big difference.  Select one that features deep cleaning, or a central vac system.
• Buy a high quality mattress cover to help protect your mattress from the introduction of moisture.
• Remove excess decorative pillows or stuffed animals from your bedroom.
• Also remove any uneeded upholstered furniture or other fabric-based items from your bedroom.
• Select washable area rugs and curtains, and wash them often.
• Do not allow your pets to enter your bedroom.

These statistics are based on information from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).  Also see “The Allergy Report: Science Based Findings on the Diagnosis & Treatment of Allergic Disorders”, 1996 – 2001.

How can a Sleep Number Bed help?

A Sleep Number® bed offers many advantages as compared to a traditional mattress in the areas of minimizing allergens and providing higher quality sleep.

Modular Design

The unique zip-open design of a Sleep Number bed allows for easy opening and viewing the inside of your mattress.  This represents an advantage over a traditional , enclosed-type mattress.
You can also choose to open up your Sleep Number bed to vacuum out dust and air it out.  This just cannot be done with a traditional mattress, as various allergy-causing substances may be trapped inside the bed and not seen.

Higher Quality Materials

Select Comfort is a experienced in the industry, and in the use of materials that inhibit the growth of allergens that, in rare circumstances, can form inside any upholstered mattress.

All Sleep Number beds are made using Belgian Damask fabric, specially  treated with patented process that promotes a sanitized environment for your protection and comfort.

You are also able to select from an extentive line of hypoallergenic sleep accessories for your sleep number bed.  These include includes special pillows, protective pillow covers, as well as blanket and comforter that are also allergen-free.

Outstanding Customer Service

Your satisfaction and comfort are important, and so it’s crucial to select a bed maker that has an excellent record with customer service.   Select Comfort, the makers of the Sleep Number Bed offer a Twent Year Limited Warranty and a high level of customer service.  Their ratings and reviews with organizations like the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports are also stellar, with the company making honest efforts to resolve any legitimate consumer issues.

There are many disorders and conditions that can interfere with proper sleep and cause increased fatigue. A Sleep Number Bed may help with many of these issues, since they promote a more even distribution of body weight, allowing you to sleep more comfortably . The following is a list of the most common. If you have these symptoms, you should consult your primary physician.
 
Insomnia: Can include difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, waking too early or not waking refreshed. Some of the causes are behavioral or psychological; however, there are a variety of reasons for this condition.
 
Sleep apnea: Can include excessive snoring or disruptions in breathing. During sleep, the muscles in the throat become more relaxed. In obstructive sleep apnea, the person’s airway collapses, restricting air flow. In relatively rare conditions, it’s the result of the brain failing to properly signal the muscles which affect breathing. Depending on the cause of the disorder, treatment may involve behavioral modification or special equipment to help regulate the sleeper’s air flow at night.
 
Restless Legs Syndrome: Symptoms can include unpleasant or painful feelings in legs and arms, interfering with restful sleep. Some causes include excessive caffeine intake or prolonged inactivity, but often these are a secondary symptom of other medical conditions like diabetes, anemia or pregnancy.
 
Narcolepsy: Symptoms can include excessive drowsiness and a tendency to fall asleep at inappropriate times. The cause of this disorder is still unknown, but it typically afflicts teenagers and young adults. While no cure is known, there are several treatment options available to alleviate symptoms.
 
Fibromyalgia (FMS): Thought to be caused by a chemical dysfunction within the brain, causing widespread muscle pain and fatigue. It produces pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons – the fibrous tissues in the body. This pain can vary in severity from day to day, but it can and does interfere with the performance of even simple, everyday tasks. It is estimated that more than 6 million Americans suffer from FMS. Over 80% of FMS sufferers are women of all ages and ethnicities. 
The exact cause of FMS is unknown and currently there is no known cure. Sleep disturbances are common with FMS, and traditional treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep as well as reducing pain.1
 
Arthritis: Arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, distinguished by painful inflammation. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by the same type of chronic pain in joints, muscles and tendons, but without inflammation. 
 
1 These statistics are based on information available from the Oregon Health Sciences University in conjunction with the National Fibromyalgia Research Association.

Are you thinking about buying sleep number bed? Reviews are certainly a good source of information, but articles that can summerize those reviews into a concise list of advantages and disadvantages might be better. With all the reviews summarized in one place, you can get an idea of the advantages and disadvantages with just a quick read.

In another article, we already summarized the Advantages of a Sleep Number Bed. So, to keep it fair and balanced, we read a variety of more negative reviews, and
extracted the most common disadvantages of the sleep number bed.

Disadvantage #1: The Initial cost

The most common complaint with people considering a purchase of a sleep number bed is the initial cost. Even a fair number of people that did buy the bed still harbor
complaints that the sleep number bed is too pricy. With basic models in the $1500 range, and their high-end “Ultimate Edition” pricing out at over $5,000…it’s easy to
understand why this is such a common observation.

Disadvantage #2: Heat and Sweating

One basic disadvantage of the sleep number bed is that air chambers, for good reason, do not “breathe.”  Because these components must be air-tight, they can create issues with heat getting trapped between the sleeping owner and the mattress itself. The owner’s body heat can also create issues with night sweats because there’s no porous material underneath them. There may also be a relationship to the models that feature memory foam covers, as this material is also known to retain heat. Owners might consider using a different type of mattress cover, along with high quality sheets, to help alleviate the excess heat.

Disadvantage #3: The Seam in the Middle

Many Sleep Number Bed owners complain about the seam in the middle of the bed. It is, of course, a neccessary evil in a system where each side of the bed can be adjust
ed separately, but creates some notable issues. The middle area of the bed can be uncomfortable, because of the stiffer joint between the two air chambers.

If you happen to shift in your sleep, and have this seam underneath your body, it can reduce some of the benefits of the bed. It’s also potentially a mood breaker for couples activities like spooning together, giving backrubs, as er, well…you know…more intimate activities..

Disadvantage #4: Figuring out the right “Sleep Number”

Owners of the Sleep Number Bed report that it can be difficult to settle on what the right level of firmness is for you. This issue is sometimes compounded with variat
ions in the actual firmness of the bed due to temperature or humidity changes. The level of firmness for a setting of say, 50, might actually vary over time. A small
number of owners also report issues where the bed’s settings stray over time due to small leaks, or wear and tear of the material that comprises the air chambers.

Disadvantage #5: The Bed is Noisy

It is well known to the buyers that air pumps are used to adjust the firmnes, but they may not have noticed the noise level if they tested the bed in a fairly busy reta
il store. Adjusting the bed causes either the pump to start up, or the bleeder valve to let off air.

 

Either activity creates a bit of noise that doesn’t promote a restful sleep. The pump or bleed valve can also be triggered by movement in the bed, or accidental pressing of the controls, leading to you unintentionally waking your partner.

Disadvantage #6: Issues with Sagging or Wear

Some parts of the sleep number bed, notably the foam supports, are subject to wear and tear, and end up being less comfortable after more than a year of use. While the
foam supports can be replaced, the cost is fairly significant if your warranty period has expired.