Buying a mattress: Does firmness matter?

There's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to buying a mattress. Look for a mattress that comfortably supports your shoulders, hips and lower back. If the mattress is too soft, you might wake up with a backache. If the mattress is too firm, uncomfortable pressure might leave you tossing and turning all night. Don't rely on the advertised level of firmness, which may vary from brand to brand. Instead, spend plenty of time lying on display mattresses to get a feel for what's comfortable. Keep in mind that you and your bed partner might have different preferences about mattress firmness. If you can't agree on what's comfortable, you might consider an adjustable mattress that allows you to set one side of the mattress softer or firmer than the other.

Dozens of corticosteroid medications are available today. The drugs are front-line treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, allergies and many other conditions. They are also used to treat life-threatening conditions such as Addison's disease, in which the adrenal glands don't produce enough steroids, and help prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients.

You can take corticosteroids:

• By mouth. Tablets, capsules or syrups help treat the inflammation and pain associated with certain chronic conditions such as arthritis and lupus.
• By inhaler and intranasal spray. These forms help control inflammation associated with allergy and asthma.
• Topically. Creams, ointments and roll-ons can help heal many skin conditions.
• By injection. This form is used to treat such signs and symptoms as the pain and inflammation of tendinitis, severe musculoskeletal pain or serious rashes from poison ivy.

Like all medications, corticosteroids carry a risk of side effects. Some side effects can cause serious health problems. When you know what side effects are possible, you can take steps to control them.

Side effects of oral corticosteroids
Because oral corticosteroids affect your entire body instead of a particular area, this form is the most likely to cause significant side effects. Side effects depend on the dose of medication you receive. Within days or weeks of starting oral therapy, you may have an increased risk of:

• Elevated pressure in the eyes (glaucoma)
• Fluid retention, causing swelling in your lower legs
• Increased blood pressure
• Mood swings
• Weight gain, with fat deposits in your abdomen, face and the back of your neck

When taking oral corticosteroids longer term, you may experience:

• Cataracts
• High blood sugar, which can trigger or worsen diabetes
• Increased risk of infections
• Loss of calcium from bones, which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures
• Menstrual irregularities
• Suppressed adrenal gland hormone production
• Thin skin, easy bruising and slower wound healing

Side effects of inhaled corticosteroids
When using inhaled corticosteroids, some of the drug may deposit in your mouth and throat instead of making it to your lungs. This can cause coughing, hoarseness, dry mouth and sore throat. Gargling and rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after each inhalation may reduce such effects. Although some researchers have speculated that these drugs slow growth rates in children who use them for asthma, studies show that they don't affect their final adult height.

Side effects of topical corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids can lead to thin skin, red lesions and acne.

Side effects of injected corticosteroids
Injected corticosteroids can cause side effects near the site of the injection. Side effects may include pain, infection, shrinking of soft tissue and loss of color in the skin. Doctors usually limit corticosteroid injections to no more than three or four a year.