Pressure Sores, Bed Sores, Decubitus Ulcers Are Common With Mobility Issues

Written by Adam Peck Category: Bed Sores January 26th, 2013 3 min read

Pressure Sores, Pressure Ulcers, and Bedsores are One and the Same

Pressure sores are referred to as bed sores and pressure ulcers. Pressure sores are common, particularly in those with mobility issues, but everything ought to be done to avoid them as they can be dangerous and terribly uncomfortable for sufferers.

Pressure ulcers are caused when skin and underlying tissue is damaged. In the worst cases, underlying bone and muscle will be damaged as well. Bed sores sometimes have an effect on folks who have limited mobility and can’t easily move themselves around. This could be due to paralysis, temporary injury or previous age.

Statistics counsel that up to ten percent, if not more, of all United States patients admitted to hospital develop pressure ulcers. For older patients and folks with mobility issues, the figure will rise to as high as seven in ten.

Handling Bedsores

Though pressure ulcers aren’t invariably serious, they still need to be treated once they occur. This is as a result of, left untreated, they will result in long-term skin injury, gangrene and high infections.

For those at risk of developing bed sores and their carers, the key problems to consider are firstly a way to best forestall the ulcers and secondly a way to limit the damage caused by existing sores.

How to Forestall Bedsores

The following tips will help you stop pressure sores from occurring:

Encourage a bedridden person with restricted mobility to change their position as often as doable throughout the day.
For those that can’t try this themselves as a result of their immobility, they will need facilitate to be moved regularly.
Consider using special mattresses and sheets that are designed to minimise pressure on the skin which occurs through sitting or lying down. Parafricta sheets, pillowcases and clothing are made out of “zero-friction material” which minimises skin friction and prevents shear or ‘drag’ on the tissue beneath the skin.

A way to Treat Bedsores

So as to treat pressure ulcers and forestall them turning into worse, individuals should be regularly moved to prevent pressure, friction and drag on their skin and tissue.

Mattresses, sheets and pillowcases are particularly designed by Parafricta. The things are ‘zero friction’ and ‘anti-shear’ and that they minimise additional injury on the skin and which might be caused by friction and dragging on the tissue beneath the skin.

Dressings ought to also be used to keep ulcer wounds dry, covered and protected. Dressings for bed sores help the wounds to heal. It’s important that the dressings do not move around or return off. They can be kept in place by special bootees and underwear. This stuff keep dressings in place and stop friction and shear that would be caused otherwise.

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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.