Bed Sore / Pressure Sore
Bed sore (or pressure sore
or decubitus ulcer) is a sore or lesion found
in bed-ridden patients.
Symptoms of Bed Sore
The symptoms of bed sores are:
- Sores, ulcers, or lesions in the skin
- Tenderness and swelling
- The feeling of warmth
- Pain
- If a secondary bacterial infection develop at the sore, then
foul-smelling yellow or green fluid or pus discharge can be
seen.
Early indication of bed sores are redness of the skin. Left untreated,
deep ulcers that penetrate through the skin, muscle, and fat tissues
(sometimes all the way to the bones) can form.
These sores are most often seen on the:
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Lower back
- Shoulder blades
- Elbows
- Ankles
- Heels
Bed Sore Causes
Bed sores are caused when too much lying on a bed or sitting
on a chair causes constant pressure on certain parts of the body.
This causes bloodflow to these areas to be reduced, and tissue
damage to occur.
Who Gets It?
Most people who get bed sores are those who are paralyzed, bed-ridden,
or too weak to move and turn their body. Often, these are elderly
patients which are already in poor health.
Bed Sore Prevention
Poor nursing procedures are usually to blame if a hospitalized
patient develops bed sores. Bed sores are completely preventable
by:
- Moving a bed-ridden or chair-ridden person at least once every
2 hours
- Using specially designed mattress and cushions that can evenly
distribute body weight to prevent undue pressure on a localized
area
- Using clean bedsheets and linens
- Placing pillows under the lower leg to relieve pressure on
the back
- Exercising or performing passive movement exercises, if the
person is too weak. In this exercise, a nurse or orderly moves
the arms and legs for that person
- Eating nutritious meals, as malnourished people are more prone
to developing bed sores
Treatment for Bed Sore?
Bed sore can be treated by:
- Oral and topical antibiotic prescriptions
- Cleaning and bandaging the affected area
- Avoiding putting pressure on the sores
- Surgery
Note that bed sores usually take a very long time to heal.