Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, and Decubitus Ulcers Have Different Degrees of Severity

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 3 min read

Bed sores are ulcers with different possible degrees of severity, showing up upon human bodies. Decubitus ulcers naturally, these types also known as as pressure sores. The severity of such a sore can vary in between a light light red non permanent area on the human body which gets removed inside of a few hours of removing the pressure to glaring ulcers that pierce deeply into the body exposing the particular internal bodily organs and also bone tissues. This kind of ulcer can potentially end up being extremely painful, and people bedridden as a consequence of long term periods of sickness, paralysis as well as fractured bones are even known to perish from septic conditions occurring as a result of acute bedsores. So, understanding and utilizing the right attention of health to avoid and cure these types of ulcerous lesions on your skin is rather vital.

Symptoms

There are actually four stages of a bed sore depending upon the amount of severeness. The levels happen to be formally indexed by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. The levels include the following.

Level 1: The actual sore begins looking as a constant pink or reddish skin. It may well itch or perhaps hurt, and also a touch on that vicinity may feel soft along with hot.

Stage 2: Skin loss begins occurring – both external and inner layers of the skin begin getting lost – as well as the pressure sores start appearing like blisters.

Phase 3: The bed ulcer now will go deep directly into the tissues underneath. A hollow wound is clearly visible. By now it is actually extremely painful.

Level 4: Right now there’s injury to underlying muscles and also likely exposure of bones. The ulcer now is in very advanced stages.

Causes

Bed sores develop from sustained pressure applied on a certain area of one’s body. These are usually seen to happen more above the portions having bones as well as cartilages. The primary factors behind these types of chronic wounds are the following.

Pressure: Sustained pressure applied to some parts of the body is the most frequent reason behind catching these ulcers. This kind of happens most often within instances where the patient is immobile. Examples of immobility are fractures and paralyses, to name just a few. The actual tissues under continuous pressure get deprived of the desired levels of nutrients including oxygen. This can lead to bed sores.

Friction: Friction taking place often enough at given regions of one’s body could possibly lead to these types of ulcerous wounds. Switching side-to-side too frequently and skidding down the wheelchairs are a handful of major sources of damaging friction.

Prevention

They say, prevention is preferable to cure. Your best alternative to protect yourself against decubitus ulcers is to protect oneself. Presently there are devices specifically made for these purposes. The actual device to use would depend on the depth as well as stage of the ulcer, including its level of severity as well as position of the sore wound on the body. Usually, medical insurances cover the cost of such devices – but it is best to double-check with your insurance carrier before you decide to commit.

Last but not least, disregarding bed ulcers can lead to severe complications. This includes but is not limited to cellulitis, sepsis, joint infections, bone issues as well as cancer. Therefore it is critically important that you take ample preventive steps to save yourself from bed sores.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.