American CEOs get an Israeli medical education

February 7, 2012 · Posted in mattress reviews · Comment

The Media Line Staff

Jerusalem, Israel Arieh O’Sullivan / The Me – Descending the Tower, the imposing new state-of-the-art inpatient hospital at Hadassah’s Ein Kerem Medical Center, Joseph Mapa was impressed. The chief executive officer of Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Hospital said he’s seen innovations he would like to bring back to Canada.

“It’s leading edge. Just the thinking behind it! Healing gardens, patient rooms, square feet, two beds per room, one bed per room, one window per patient…I mean these are huge developments,” Mapa told The Media Line. “It’s not something we wouldn’t do in the States, or in Canada, and it’s something you certainly want to see and showcased,” he adds.

Mapa was part of a first-ever delegation of CEOs from the top hospitals and medical centers across North America that were visiting Israel this week. This was the brainchild of Rafael Harpaz, director of the Economic Department for America and Africa at Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

“We think we have a lot to share with our friends and colleagues from the USA and Canada on medical technologies, cutting-edge technologies, readiness and preparedness and managing medical science through computers. I think these are areas where Israel has good experience,” Harpaz told The Media Line.

Israel’s life expectancy is much higher than the U.S. and its systems of socialized medicine ensures that everyone has access to basic healthcare while Israel spends a smaller percentage of its gross domestic product on health. There still are problems, most recently with doctors striking for higher wages last year. Its major hospitals are equipped with some of the latest medical technologies, which impressed the delegates.

“The American system has many great things, but also many things to learn from this country and I think that the level of medicine here and the level of training is every bit as good as medicine that I see now at the States,” Kevin Tabb, the CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, told The Media Line.

“In the States, for better or for worse, medicine in many ways is a business,” Tabb said. “It’s about making patients better, but it is also a financial business. But in Israel that really is not the case, and that is very interesting for people, especially for people from the United States, less so for Canada.”

Tabb said they shared data on costs and saw how care similar to that offered in the U.S. was extended with fewer resources in Israel.

“It’s amazing to see the relatively small budgets for an Israeli hospital, doing tremendous amount things, on what would be considered a pittance in the U.S. and that’s fascinating,” Tabb said.

The Tower at Hadassah is slated to be opened later this month and crews are busy scuttling around clearing away scaffolding and supplies. Not all of the floors are finished, but the fifth floor is spectacular with parquet floors and equipment still in plastic.

“This has been a tremendous exchange of North American healthcare leaders with Israeli healthcare leaders,” Amir Dan Rubin, president and CEO of Stanford University Medical Center. “While our political and reimbursement and systems are different, and the organization of our health systems are different, at the core we have common missions; taking care of patients and … research and education.”

“The challenges are similar here,” Rubin said. “We all have issues of how do we provide insurance coverage so there is the payment issue and there is the delivery system, there are access issues, there is improving quality and innovations and while our mechanisms are slightly different those themes are common.”

The group was briefed at Sheba Medical Center and is slated to visit Sourasky Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital — all in Tel Aviv — and Rambam Hospital in Haifa as well as the IDF Medical Forces center in Tzrifin where they will see the emergency unit that deploys at crises around the globe.

“We didn’t anticipate that so many of the CEOs of the big hospitals in North America would come and we are blessed with a delegation which is close to 50 top heads of hospitals and medical centers,” Harpaz said.

“We share the same challenges that we are facing in our medical treatment, and they appreciate that we are doing this, but on the other hand they are really impressed by all which Israel has to offer. And we have a lot to offer when it comes to medical technologies.”

At Sheba, the group observed a simulation of a mass casualty event, something that Israeli hospitals constantly drill for. Catherine Zahn, CEO of Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, found the spirit of Israelis compelling.

“There is a societal receptivity to open mindedness and forward thinkingness,” Zahn told The Media Line. “Like Israel, Canadians believe health care is a basic right of a citizen, a basic human right, rather than a commodity to be bought and sold. There is definitely a kinship there, but I think we have a lot to learn from the perspective of the ‘innovation nation’,” Zahn said.

“It’s also interesting to see how the situation in the Middle East, and the involvement of the military in the country actually probably contributes to that resilience and the attitude that if this doesn’t work out let’s pick up and do something else,” she added. “Picking up on the advances from military science and translating them into health care advances. Those are all very remarkable.”

These sentiments were echoed by her fellow Canadian, Mapa.

“The Israeli system is spectacular — from clinical care to service, to IT in particular, clinical technology, to crisis management,” Mapa said. “It’s state-of-the-art, I mean, its fantastic. We’re excited, but I tell you this not because I am excited, but you see it is evidence based…and that’s what turn us on. Turns me on for sure.”

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U.S. readies for Yemen President Saleh, refuses to divulge details

January 24, 2012 · Posted in mattress reviews · Comment

Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Monday confirmed issuance of visa to ailing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for a limited time to undergo medical treatment but refused to divulge time-period for which the visa is issued.

“We have issued a visa for Ali Abdullah Saleh,” said Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, adding, “It is strictly for medical treatment, and our expectation is that he will leave the United States when his medical treatment is complete.”

Asked to comment on the time period for which this visa is issued, Nuland said, “He’s got a visa for the period that he anticipated the medical treatment would last. If the treatment goes on longer and he needs to apply for an extension, he would do that with Homeland Security.”

Yemeni political players are expecting to utilize President Saleh’s absence to move the country “on a concrete transition plan to a more democratic Yemen,” said Nuland, adding, “We do believe that Saleh’s absence from Yemen at this critical juncture might, in fact, facilitate that dialogue and facilitate the transition process.”

Agreeing that, “it might be helpful to the transition process that he’s out of the country now,” Nuland reiterated, “It (the visa application) was not approved for political purposes. It was approved for medical treatment. The timing, we think, is fortuitous, however, and we hope that the Yemenis will use the time well.”

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Berwick: Don’t blame Medicare, Medicaid. It’s the delivery system

December 13, 2011 · Posted in mattress reviews · Comment

United States (KaiserHealth) – Dr. Donald Berwick, who oversaw Medicare and Medicaid until earlier this month, defended the programs Monday, but said they are trapped in a U.S. health system that promotes wasteful spending and inefficient care.

“Health care is broken,” Berwick said in an interview with Kaiser Health News. “… We have set up a delivery system that is fragmented, unsafe, not patient-centered, full of waste and unreliable. Despite the best efforts of the workforce, we built it wrong. It isn’t built for modern times.”

Berwick said the 2010 federal health law is changing how doctors and hospitals are paid and deliver care though such new arrangements as accountable care organizations, which are designed to improve coordination and lower costs.

But he said it is unclear whether such efforts would produce results quickly enough to hold off critics, including most Republicans, who want to make more radical changes that would shift more of the burden to beneficiaries. “That is the central question, the nub…whether that will happen fast enough, I just don’t know.”

Despite being considered one of the foremost authorities on health quality and safety, Berwick was a controversial pick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after Republicans accused him of supporting rationing care. Berwick denies the charge, but noted both private insurers and government programs impose limits on what they will cover.

After Republicans said they would not confirm his appointment, President Obama appointed him during a congressional recess in July 2010, which meant he could serve only for 18 months. His last day was Dec. 2.

Berwick previously led the Cambridge, Mass.-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

On other topics, Berwick told KHN:

His failure to be confirmed did not affect his ability to get things done, though he would have preferred a longer term. “An agency of this size will do better with longer-term leadership commitment,” he said. Knowing his tenure could be short gave him a greater sense of urgency to achieve things, he said.
His most challenging decisions involved state requests to cut Medicaid benefits and writing regulations to encourage doctors and hospitals to form accountable care organizations to work more closely, while not making the requirements overly burdensome.
He criticized state efforts to limit hospital coverage for Medicaid recipients, currently under review by federal regulators. Hawaii has proposed a 10-day coverage limit on some enrollees; Arizona has proposed a 25 day limit. “It’s a nonsensical idea,” he said. “If a patient needs twenty days, the patient should get twenty days,” he said.
Managed care done right is the best way to provide care, he said, but if states are not ready to take on the responsibility, it can lead to restrictions that prevent people from getting the care they need. Early in his career, Berwick worked for Harvard Health Plan, a nonprofit HMO based in Boston.

Berwick said he has not yet decided what to do next beyond spending more time with his family in Boston.

– Provided by Kaiser Health News.

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CDC: U.S. teens not eating enough fruits, vegetables

November 29, 2011 · Posted in mattress reviews · Comment

Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – U.S. teens are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, according to a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The findings, based on data complied from nearly 10,800 students in grades nine through 12 who took part in the National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study 2010, found median consumption was 1.2 times per day for both fruits and vegetables.

Median fruit consumption was much higher among males than females, and much higher among grade nine students than among students in grades 10 and 12.

A little more than 28.5 percent, or one in four, of the high school students ate fruit less than once a day, and 33.2 percent ate vegetables less than once a day.

Only 16.8 percent of students ate fruit at least four times a day, and only 11.2 percent ate vegetables at least four times a day.

Vegetable consumption was lowest among Hispanic and black students, the study found.

Researchers said the findings show that most high school students do not meet the daily fruit and vegetable recommendations, and more needs to be done to see the recommendations are met.

The researchers wrote in the Nov. 25 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, “The infrequent fruit and vegetable consumption by high school student highlights the need for effective strategies to increase consumption.”

Steps have already been taken at schools throughout the country to remove sugary snacks, sodas, high fat, high salt and low nutrient dense foods. New programs such as farm-to-school initiatives, school gardens and salad bars aim to improve access to both fruits and vegetables.

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FDA to review safety of bone drugs

September 6, 2011 · Posted in mattress reviews · Comment

Vittorio Hernandez – AHN News

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels will meet on Friday to review popular bone drugs. Included in the panels’ agenda is to discuss a possible recommendation for women to rest first from taking the medication due to concerns over side effects on long-term use.

The comprehensive safety review to determine if it is safe for females to use the bone drugs beyond three to five years comes 16 years after the drugs such as Fosamax were launched into the market.

The FDA recommendation is expected to affect about four million women in the U.S. who take biphosphonates, which inhibit the bone renewal process by adding bone mass. However, its possible side effects include causing the bones to become brittle.

The FDA review will cover at least four branded bisphosphonates and generic counterparts, used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. It includes:

Fosamax (alendronate sodium) tablets and solution and Fosamax Plus D made by Merck
Actonel (risedronate) and Actonel with calcium made by Warner Chilcott
Bonivia (ibandronate sodium) tablets and injection made by Roche, and
Reclast (zoledronic acid) made by Novartis.

Among the reported risks to long-term use of the osteoporosis drugs are jawbone death, unusual broken thigh bones and esophageal cancer. Due to those risks, the FDA ordered in October the manufacturer of the drugs to add a warning of the higher risks for atypical femur fractures and in 2005 a warning for osteonecrosis.

Because of the side effects, Merck has 1,115 lawsuits over jaw damage and another 535 over unusual femur fractures and other bone injuries.

After the patent of Fosamax, which was launched in 1995, expired in 2008, generic versions of the medication came out in the market.

In 2010, global sales of bone drugs reached $7.6 billion, which went down from a peak of $8.8 billion in 2007.

The FDA is expected to issue a report on the results of the Friday discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

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Nobel In Chemistry Goes To U.S., Japanese Scientists

October 7, 2010 · Posted in mattress prices · Comment

David Goodhue – AHN News Reporter

Stockholm, Sweden (AHN) – The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three scientists – two from the U.S. and one from Japan — for their work in developing palladium-catalyzed cross coupling.

According to a Nobel statement, the chemical tool has “vastly improved the possibilities for chemists to create sophisticated chemicals, for example carbon-based molecules as complex as those created by nature itself.”

The chemists are Richard F. Heck from the University of Delaware, Ei-ichi Negishi from Purdue University and Akira Suzuki from Hokkaido University.

The scientists’ work has made it easier for people to bind carbon atoms together.

Palladium-catalyzed cross coupling is now used worldwide in research and in the commercial production of pharmaceuticals and molecules used in the electronics industry, according to the Nobel statement.

The scientists will share the $1.5 million prize money.

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Fishery Expert Urges International Agreement On Salmon Production

October 5, 2010 · Posted in air mattress · Comment

AHN News Staff

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (AHN) – A Canadian fishery expert urged on Monday that an international agreement on salmon production be drawn up to prevent overcrowding of salmon stock in the North Pacific. Estimates by a Canadian-U.S. research team placed the population of adult pink, chum and sockeye salmon to twice as much as in the 1950s.

Randall Peterman, Canada Research Chair in Fisheries Risk Assessment and Management, attributed the surge in the salmon population to 718 million adult salmon returning to their freshwater homes in 2005. The large number indicates overpopulation of the ocean with salmon.

Partly responsible for the sharp rise in the salmon population is the annual release of five billion salmon fries from hatcheries in Japan and Alaska. The result of this annual release is adult salmon from hatcheries now make up about 20 percent of total adult salmon production. Peterman forecast their number would continue to increase.

Peterman said an international treaty will help manage production levels to prevent the domination of hatchery fish in the ocean. He explained the dwindling salmon stock to a regional problem, such as the one experienced in British Columbia’s Fraser River.

He said in North Pacific, Asia and other parts of North American total salmon population is abundant, also because of increased survival rates.

Peterman pointed out the need for production control over hatchery salmon and wild salmon is because the former stray into wild waters and interbreed with the latter, which dilutes the strength of the wild salmon species.

He said the wild salmon’s genes allow them to respond to different situations such as climate change, but the hatchery salmon are generally not successful as wild salmon to fluctuating condition.

The study is published in the online October edition of “Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamic Management and Ecosystem Science.”

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Faith Group Honors Indian PM With World Statesman Award

September 23, 2010 · Posted in best matress · Comment

AHN News Staff

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an American interfaith coalition, has awarded Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the 2010 World Statesman Award for his commitment to human rights, democracy, freedom and peace.

India’s ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, accepted the honor on Singh’s behalf Tuesday in a glittering ceremony in New York.

Singh, in a recorded acceptance speech, said, “India has been guided since ancient times by the fundamental belief that while spiritual expression takes many forms and the journey for universal truth takes many paths, we are all united by our highest values, ideals and our inherent humanism.”

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, in his commendation address, called Singh a great statesman with vision, persistence and integrity. He also praised him for his leadership, which helped in India’s economic transformation.

Undersecretary of State William Burns said there could truly be no better choice and no better model of what integrity and statesmanship were all about on the world stage.

“A man of even temperament, and remarkable modesty and humility, Prime Minister Singh has demonstrated clear vision and steely determination as a leader, bringing great benefit to India and to the rest of the world,” Burns added.

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Looking For Info About Latex Mattresses? Look No More

January 31, 2010 · Posted in mattress · Comment

If you’re considering buying a mattress now or sometime in the future, you should really consider a latex mattress. In the U.S. these mattresses are relatively new and are not spread like in Europe, but sales are increasing very fast. The truth is if you sleep on this kind of mattress there’s little to no chances you’ll ever want to go back to your regular spring, foam or even foam memory mattress. The following is all the information I could find about them for you to make an educated buying.

Rubber latex is a superb commodity made from an extract of the Hevea tree. This can be much used in a wide range of products and a familiar practice is for mattress toppers and pillows to be manufactured from it. Natural latex is a really tough product and a good quality latex mattress or mattress topper will probably last many years. Latex mattresses and pillows are produced with tiny holes inside them. These little holes make the latex rubber squishier as well as more comfortable to sleep on. So, because of this, the larger the holes, the more yielding the mattress or mattress topper will feel.

A lot of latex rubber mattresses have got just a single dimension of hole all over and, consequently, the total mattress will have a consistent softness. A few mattresses however, are produced with purpose made grades of latex with various sized holes. Using this causes the latex foam mattress to exhibit distinct elements. For instance, squishier below the upper body and feet and more supportive below the hips. Otherwise, a number of latex beds lay a softer latex over the more rigid latex inside to furnish the latex foam mattress a more comfortable feel. Latex mattress pads display a delightful springiness and they are really comfortable. Latex foam is a big advance over old fashioned sprung mattresses.

Natural latex is hypoallergenic, and adapts to keep you snug in winter nights and cool in hot summers. Bacteria should not live in natural latex foam. Not every type of latex rubber foam is the same. A fashionable make of latex foam, “Talalay” latex mattress pads are made using a high tech process, which is known to produce a very sleep inducing but also considerably more costly mattress.

Now, less costly latex foam mattress toppers and pillows are widely fashioned possibly of man-made latex rubber or increasingly frequently a combination of synthetic and natural latex foam. It is obvious that, the majority of natural latex foam mattress stores will state that an all natural product is better. Despite the fact that, synthetic latex foam mattress manufacturers will state that this reaction is garbage and that a synthetic latex core makes the mattress pad more long-lasting. Often it is truly just a matter of outlay as synthetic latex rubber will be less costly plus a great deal more outlay effective to utilize for a latex bed.

There are now not many benefits of opting for natural latex rather than man-made. The caliber of your latex mattress is unlikely to fluctuate, however you may possibly partake of a liking in favor of the all natural latex from a Hevea tree rather than a synthetic. Using this preference is more natural environment supportive as a all natural latex mattress should be completely recyclable after you have finished with it. But you can pay more for the completely natural latex foam mattress and as well grasp that discovering an all natural latex foam mattress pad is easier said than done. Although this situation could be changing seeing as some major bed producers are at present, manufacturing an all natural “Talalay” latex mattress.

Latex foam mattress toppers and pillows are supportive for your your body’s joints and spine, may help you get decades of restful slumber, as well as should never require turning. Natural latex will not break down and can offer remarkable stability to get rid of disturbed sleeping. Natural latex are the most advanced sleeping technology obtainable, in effect eradicating the bulging traditional mattresses a ton of sleepers complain about. So, because of this you will gain the benefit of a excellent night’s sleep, all night.

A latex foam foam mattress will have your spine right positioned during the night. Several mattress toppers add to this natural aspect by including softer coverings of latex layer on the exterior to alleviate pressure and not lowering the comfort. Natural latex mattress toppers and pillows provide you the most practical combination of sleep promotion and support. This amazing, versatile substance can mould itself to every position of the sleeping person to provide superb, orthopedic support. It as well moderates pressure, so that you may sleep deeper and also wake up re-energized and geared up for the brand new day.

The most valuable latex mattress or mattress topper can diminish pressure on vulnerable joints and promote correct position of your back, producing a considerably more soothing night’s sleep. They are additionally hypoallergenic plus they biologically repel mold, which will be a help for anybody who suffers from an allergy. Latex foam is in addition acknowledged for its durability. This kind of beds constructed from latex rubber foam could endure as long as 30 years. Seeing as they should be naturally supple, latex foam mattresses utilize a harder mattress foundation, like a solid wood frame bed.

The method of manufacture of distinctive varieties of latex rubber foam mattress also vary from each other type. Within the alternative varieties of fabrication process used, one of the most frequently used is the “Talalay” manufacturing process. Using this is thought to be the most forward-looking manufacturing process in latex bed making. In this system, the mold is initially filled using the latex mixture. Subsequently it is passed via a frothing process to produce the foam. Afterward a freezing process is used, to strengthen the stability and durability of every latex foam mattress. But this process of manufacture being the most labor intensive, in addition adds to the price of this kind of mattress pad or mattress topper.

A latex foam pillow pad is generally produced in a nearly identical procedure to this kind of latex mattress. However this may perhaps not every time be the circumstances, and a few bed brands sell blended latex foam pillow pads that will contain man-made latex. The feel-good element of purchasing a naturally generated pillow pad that is described as more environmentally supportive draws most consumers to latex pillow pads, and these buyers may need to look out for those that are sold as all natural latex to avoid being supplied with artificially produced pillow pads. But, some other individuals will probably enjoy combined naturally sourced and synthetic latex foam since they offer stable and bouncy support, and they are perfectly as sturdy, while still being noticeably less expensive.

The latex used in mattress toppers and pillows is really tough and a superior product made from latex can last you for decades. However, for a person who is not willing or are not able to run to completely change their old mattress, but lack more of the benefits, a further option is to invest in a latex rubber mattress topper. This type of foam mattress topper may add substantial cushioning to a existing mattress that seems too unyielding.

The latex rubber bed topper is offered in varying sizes suitable for all scale of mattress, and there are already many health benefits about these bed toppers that people prefer. They have a tendency not to hold on to smells, a common predicament with some brands of polyurethane foam. They are moreover unlikely to get malformed during use. An additional plus point is the fact that these mattresses are all more ventilated than other sorts of foam mattress toppers and consumers will find this action more comfortable if they become warm or normally suffer from hot flashes at some point in nighttime. Besides, the truth that these mattress toppers can now endure for years and years is well-known and possibly will give a good reason for acquiring a latex mattress pad or mattress topper.

This is all the info you need if you’re considering buying a latex mattress. Put it to good use and be ready for a change with no come back.

Author: Chris Poulsen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card

Tags: <Europe, foam, latex, latex beds, latex foam mattress, latex mattress, latex mattresses, mattress topper, mattress toppers, Rubber, U.S.>

Tips for Mattress Shoppers

January 7, 2010 · Posted in mattress · Comment

Mattress shopping is not for the meek. First, it’s complicated. There are lots of different types of mattresses on the market. Even if you can sort through them, there are many different brands, different models, and, of course, very different prices! Mattress advertising tends to be frenetic and you may notice that some mattress sales people are a little, well, overcaffeinated. Finding your way through the maze without overspending or buying the wrong mattress can be tough. Here are a few brief tips to help you before you step foot in your first mattress show room.

Mattresses are not cheap. Even a relatively low-end product is still going to cost you hundreds of dollars. Before you start comparing prices, figure out what you will need. Delivery of the new mattress, and removal and disposal of your old mattress are not necessarily included in the price. Always ask. (And if you can arrange to transport the mattress yourself and deal with your old mattress on your own, you may be able to get a better deal.)

Next, narrow down the type of mattress you want. There are four main types of mattresses: the inner-spring mattress, waterbeds, foam, and air.

Airbeds are increasingly popular and are a good choice for a guest room or for a bed you need only a few times a year. Don’t think of the old air mattress. Some airbeds are regular height and can be made up to look just like a regular bed. They also inflate quickly and easily. But most people don’t want to make an airbed a permanent bed, so this is not likely the choice you’ll make if you’re shopping for you main new mattress.

Foam mattresses, including the famous TempurPedic mattresses, are made of a dense foam material. They mold themselves to the body’s shape. They don’t transfer motion well, meaning that one person can roll over and the other person not feel it. They’re also good mattresses for folks with allergies, since they don’t harbor dust mites and other nasty allergens. If you’ve never tried a foam mattress, you need to sprawl out on a couple in some show rooms to see what the fuss is about.

Of course, there are some downsides to the foam mattress. Some people say they are hot, which is probably not a problem if you live anywhere outside the sun belt. They are also fairly heavy, which makes transporting them yourself a bit of a hassle. (They’re not the best mattress to pick if you move constantly.) And they’re expensive.

Back in their original heyday, waterbeds were really just giant vinyl water balloons. If that’s what you think a waterbed today is like, you need to take another look. Waterbeds today look like regular beds but do require some special framing. They use an inner system of baffles and chambers to reduce transfer of motion (you know, that old tsunami-like effect when two people were in a waterbed and one got up). If you haven’t tried a waterbed lately, you really ought to check them out.

Waterbeds are a bit of an evangelist thing; some people love them in a fanatical way, others don’t care that much. They are good for people with allergies and can be a bit more adjustable than regular innerspring mattresses. The downside is that they are very heavy when they’re set up. If you plan on setting up a mattress in an upstairs room or loft, check to be sure it’s strong enough to support a waterbed.

By far the most common mattress sold in the U.S. is the inner-spring. Invented over a hundred years ago, it’s a popular and practical design. The mattress contains a network of coils (springs) that are designed to provide push-pull support. The coils are designed to provide give and cushion when weight is brought on them, but they also have enough spring to resist and provide some support. This give-and-take between cushion and support is the reason that inner-springs have been so popular for so long. An inner-spring is the top mattress which is meant to work with a box spring. A box spring is also a coil system that provides some push-pull support for the inner-spring mattress.

The inner-spring mattress is usually available in many tiers, from economy to top luxury models. As a general rule of thumb, you need to buy a better grade of mattress if you plan on using the mattress heavily (and that means sleeping on it every night, having more than one person in bed, and how much weight these people will put on the mattress). But once you get to the tippy-top tier, you may find that the mattress is more about luxury frills (pillow-tops, cover material, padding) than durability.

If you are buying a mattress for a child’s room or guest room, an economy grade is probably more than sufficient. A mid-range mattress is better for daily use by a single sleeper (it will last longer) and top grades may be needed if two people will use the bed, particularly if they have some extra poundage.

Once you’ve picked out the type of mattress you want, start to shop sales circulars and online before venturing into a store. Mattresses go on sale periodically, so you may be able to pick up a good buy if you’re patient and study what’s available for a while.

Shopping for a mattress means testing the mattress and (if you’re a serious shopper) taking some notes. Note that sometimes department stores will offer their own line of mattresses which, in reality, are made by the major manufacturers and may even correspond to a mattress you could buy at a discount house. If you shop for mattresses at furniture stores or department stores, you will probably see higher-priced merchandise. The salesperson may be able to tell you who manufactures the house brand of mattress; you can then pick up the same or similar mattress at a discount outlet.

Mattress stores, some discount furniture stores, and other discount houses carry mattresses and often at good prices. The problem with discount houses is that they may have a very limited selection and a here-today-gone-tomorrow policy (that is, they may stock one type of mattress for a while but when that inventory is sold, they may replenish it with an entirely different mattress).

The best approach is to figure out the type of mattress you want and keep narrowing it down until you know a size, brand, and model. This will let you do some research into prices. Once you know more or less what the going rate is, good deals will become obvious to you. (Many casual mattress shoppers also run into good deals but don’t always recognize them!)

Author: Jo Ann LeQuang
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Benefits of electric pressure cooker

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