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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Assumed health benefit
Many information sources--including sites that offer health reports on waterbeds and other types of mattresses--claim waterbeds provide a health benefit and suggest that doctors agree. Helping pregnant women sleep better, improving back pain, increasing circulation and calming joint aches are all health claims associated with waterbeds.
On the Other: Studies suggest potential harm
Medical studies and correspondence, such as those published in the journal of the Canadian Medical Association, the National Cancer Institute and by the National Institutes of Health, show that waterbeds contribute to reflux disease, possibly increase risk of developing low back pain, increase risk of sudden infant death, possibly increase risk of cancers and expose pregnant women to possibly harmful electrical fields.
Bottom Line
Doctors are unlikely to recommend waterbeds given the large number of medical studies showing the potential health risks and documented hazards associated with sleeping on a waterbed.
Source:
Health reports on waterbeds and foam mattresses
CMA Journal: Waterbeds and reflux disease
CMA Journal: Waterbeds and low back pain
More Information:
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