The Tribune

By Bettyjoe Cooper

The national diabetes epidemic is our fifth leading cause of death for all ages. The problem has been well publicised, as have recommendations to counter it.

In people with diabetes, if they experience high blood glucose over a period of years, blood vessels can become damaged. This can lead to plaque forming in the blood vessels rendering them unable to deliver enough blood to neighboring cells.

Symptoms of poor circulation

The diabetes support website diabetes.co.uk describes common symptoms of poor circulation:

• Cold feet or hands

• Numb feet or hands

• Hair loss on your feet or legs

• A pale blue colour on the skin of your legs (applies to lighter skinned people)

• Dry or cracked skin, particularly of the feet

• Brittle toe nails

• Slow healing of wounds or sores

• Erectile dysfunction

Slow healing of wounds can be particularly problematic in people with diabetes. Speak to your doctor if a wound is not healing properly or if you have sustained any damage to your feet.

Improve blood circulation

If you suffer with swollen legs or feet, adjusting your sleeping position so your legs are slightly elevated will reduce the swelling by aiding circulation. This may benefit people with diabetes, poor circulation or high blood pressure.

There are various ways to achieve this sleep position but the most practical solution is to invest in an adjustable base bed. You may immediately think of hospital beds but there are modern options for the home.

While it’s true that adjustable (or reclining) beds, provide medical benefits that help improve comfort and relieve pain, it’s not all they’re good for. This interesting furnishing also provides lifestyle benefits that upgrade relaxation and improve sleep.

Even if you’re healthy and think you don’t need an adjustable bed, you might be surprised by what modern options have to offer. ​And they don’t need to be an ugly addition to the home.

Ease back pain

Back pain is a common and serious matter. Some 30 million people in the United States​ suffer from back pain. It’s possible to get some relief by using pillows to get a good sleep position. With an adjustable bed, you have the freedom to control the position you’re in.

An adjustable bed is an advanced foundation that’s perfect for a memory foam or gel mattress, as it enhances their natural contouring actions to further enhance support and reduce pain.

For many symptoms of back pain, like compression and muscle tension, an adjustable bed can offer some relief since it allows the user to customise their position. Certain adjustments work to reduce pressure on the back by distributing weight more evenly and allowing the spine to decompress. Besides general back pain relief, elevating the upper body (and legs) can provide symptom relief for degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.

However, on a flat mattress, especially non-contouring types like inner springs, pressure is concentrated on the hips and shoulders while the lower back is left unsupported. This serves to compound the tension from daytime activities, and can lead to less restful sleep and pain or stiffness upon waking.

Here are few ways adjustable beds aid with back pain:

• The ‘zero gravity’ position

Adjustable beds allow users to achieve a ‘zero gravity’, which proves ideal for back pain relief and circulation. In this neutral position, both the head and feet of the adjustable bed are slightly elevated, pressure is more evenly distributed across the length of the body, and tension on the lower back is eased allowing the muscles to fully relax and decompress.

• Ergonomic relaxation

Activities like reading, working, or watching television in bed are made more ergonomic on an adjustable base bed. Adding slight elevation to the knees can further improve comfort during waking activities, similar to relaxing in your favorite recliner.

• Support getting in and out of bed

Many back pain injuries are also attributed to twisting and turning in a way that strains the spine or muscles. Adjustable beds make it safer to get in and out of bed, reducing risk of injury. Raise the head of the bed fully upright, sit on the edge of the bed, bring legs up, and gradually lower the head of the bed to lie down. To get out of bed, reverse the process.

• Reduce acid reflux symptoms

Approximately ​20 per cent of the US population​ has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you or your partner has GERD, an adjustable bed is a good way to get a better night’s sleep.

By sleeping with your head and body elevated, you’re allowing gravity to work its magic by hindering the contents of your stomach from leaking into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

• Arthritis pain relief

One in five US adults​ suffer from arthritis. These people often experience painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. If you have arthritis you can experience relief from your aching joints with an adjustable bed’s customisable support. By adjusting your position in bed, you can relieve pressure and properly support the joints that are causing you pain.

• Reduce snoring

For many couples, snoring can be the bane of night time relaxation, even driving people to sleep apart for the sake of a decent sleep. One significant benefit of an adjustable bed is that they can help reduce snoring by using the remote control to elevate the position of their head slightly.

Snoring is usually caused by your tongue and soft tissues narrowing your airway, which happens when you’re sleeping flat. Elevating your head improves airflow and reduces the vibrations that we know as ​snoring​. When you snore due to congestion, elevation can also be helpful for supporting drainage and keeping sinuses clear.

• Sleep, eat, work, massage, repeat

After a long day at work, nothing beats a relaxing massage. Most mid-level and luxury bases include massage functions, often which can be customized depending on your needs.

Recline in your adjustable bed and enjoy a head or foot massage while you unwind. Control the intensity of the massage with your remote control and feel your body loosen up after a long day at work. For split bases, couples usually also have the benefit of personalised relaxation and massage options.

An adjustable bed can change the way you sleep, and we all know better rest has several benefits for the mind and body.

• Bettyjoe Cooper is a self-published author and the founder of Brand New Mattress Co, a retailer of bedding products located in the Hummingbird Plaza, Coral Harbour Road, Nassau. Call 698-4609 for more information.