Sagging Mattresses and the Health Problems It Causes

Are you starting to get that sinking feeling that something is wrong with your bed? Well it may be just that. Nothing lasts forever and that also applies to the bed you sleep on.

Due to wear and tear, beds – whether they are regular mattresses or memory foam mattresses – end up losing some of their support, and it’s recommended to switch it out for something new every 7-10 years. If not, you may start to notice a curve start to form, most likely in the centre of your bed: the dreaded saggy mattress.

We’ve heard it a lot before about how the right mattress firmness helps with sleep issues[1], and this especially applies to sagging mattresses. In more ways than one, a sagging mattress is an unhealthy choice and we're here to tell you why.

Neck and Back Pain

Starting to wake up feeling stiff and sore in all the worst places? Well, you may have a mattress problem. While yes, there can be more than one reason for backaches and neck pain, a sagging mattress may be causing or aggravating any existing health conditions in those areas that you already have in the first place.

Mattresses are there to provide support[2]. Ideally, to accommodate your sleeping position, it allows for correct spinal alignment through the right amount of give and support particularly for the lower back to neck area. However, as they say, good things must come to an end and even good quality mattresses naturally lose some of their support technology, causing it to sag.

Sagging mattresses put you in this awkward position. It's almost like you're being swallowed whole.

Because of the uneven distribution of support and pressure, a sagging mattress puts your body in an awkward position (literally) when you go to bed. With the sagging area most typically being in the middle as opposed to the sides of the bed as a result of the body impression left when you go to sleep, it is almost impossible to avoid this once an old mattress starts to give in - unless you plan to sleep on the edge of your bed every night. This puts unnecessary pressure on your neck and back which results in unpleasant body pain.

Bad Sleep Quality

Having a sagging mattress leads to a detrimental chain of events for your health and sleep quality. Because of the discomfort, you feel at night as a result of a sinking mattress, you are more prone to waking in the middle of the night, disrupting your sleep, and leaving you exhausted in the morning. A good night sleep is a vital part of normal bodily functions and getting low quality sleep as a result of several factors, including a sagging mattress and the body pain resulting from it, not only affects your sleep experience but also makes you more tired when you wake up the next day. So don't endure sleeping on your sagging mattress. Find the right mattress for you and you'll wake up feeling good as new.

Dirt Accumulation and Bug Infestation

A saggy mattress is a sign of an old mattress. And let’s face it, over the years, there is an unavoidable build-up of dust, sweat, oils, and dirt that leaves your bed unhygienic no matter how often you change the sheets. The accumulation of all these things can become the breeding ground for unwanted mites and bed bugs that can cause bites and itches on your skin.

These are not the types of bed buddies you want to share your mattress with - and this is not even considering the build-up of fungi growing in old mattresses from accumulated moisture over time. Good luck trying to get all of that out of your mattress!

We guess there are just some things that even flipping your mattress can't do. Once your bed starts sagging, it may be a sign that this is the right time to switch it out for a new one – a mattress that’s clean and bug-free.

Although flipping the mattress is a common solution, it's often only a band-aid one. 

What to check for?

When you start to realise that your bed has a sagging problem, it's most recommended that you switch it out for a new one. Old mattresses can only last so long before they wear out too much. But if buying a new mattress set is too pricey at the moment (or you're just really attached to your old mattress for some reason) there are a couple of things you might want to check or try before shopping for a new one.

Check your bed slats and box springs

If your bed frame has bed slats for support, check for any loose or broken slats. This can cause uneven weight distribution throughout the mattress when you sleep, putting more pressure on certain parts of the bed which can cause it to sink. It doesn't cost a lot of money to fix so repair them if needed and hopefully if the sagging problem isn't too bad just yet, you might be able to save your bed.

Also make sure to check that the distance between bed slats isn't too far apart, no more than 63.5 mm. Wide gaps between planks can cause sinking and uneven stress on the mattress and your body through the night (and they don’t make for the most silent bed bases either).

If your bed uses a box spring, it isn't as easy as replacing a slat of wood. Usually when it comes to broken or worn out box springs, it is a sign that you need to toss the whole thing. It may cost more but definitely not as much as switching it all out for a new mattress set.

Flip your mattress

It's time to change your set up a little bit. They say that flipping your mattress on a regular basis can increase its lifespan. If it is only a small sag, try sleeping on the other side of the mattress and you may just enjoy your old bed for a little bit longer before the mattress sags too much.

For all the reasons just mentioned, if you do get that sinking feeling, it’s time to rethink sticking with your trusty bed and start searching for a new mattress. You don’t have to look too far though: the ecosa mattress is waterproof and air-regulating with adjustable firmness levels! So you can have a good night sleep and wake up feeling well-rested.