Easing the Discomfort of Bed Sores/Pressure Ulcers
By Shannon Anspaugh
For those who are bed ridden or confined to a wheel chair, the idea of a pressure ulcers and bedsores are more than an idea. They become a very real threat and reality. Pressure ulcers develop over a relatively short period of time. They can occur while one is recovering from a surgery if the patient doesn’t shift his weight. While in that position, certain areas have constant pressure and the blood supply is reduced to that area of the skin. When that happens, the skin tissue in that area dies, causing a pressure ulcer, or bed sore.
A pressure ulcer starts as reddened skin but gets progressively worse, forming a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater. The most common place for an ulcer to occur is over a boney area, such as: elbows, heels, hips, ankles, shoulders, the back, and the back of the head.
The reason for being bedridden aside, there is help for those who need to spend a lot of time in bed. An alternating pressure mattress and/or low air loss mattress from Specialty Medical Equipment is a great way to ease you or your loved one’s discomfort.
Specialty Medical Equipment is a family owned and operated company that carries a number of alternating pressure mattresses and low air loss mattresses that are used to lesson the occurrences of pressure ulcers and bed sores.
The quality of life for someone bedridden is already less than what they hope for. Adding the sores that come with that, makes it nearly unbearable.
Taking Care of a Disabled Loved One
by Shannon Anspaugh
It’s painful to see a parent who was once strong and a support for you, become weak and dependent on you for their care. You want to do the best you can for them, make their lives as comfortable as possible. How do you do that?
One way is to make sure the bed they sleep in won’t produce pressure ulcers, or bed sores. As a person who cannot move freely ages, they lose not only muscle but fat as well. As they lose this the protective layer that covered their bones lessons. In the areas where the bones are closest to the skin is the area where sores are most likely to occur.
That is not the only way pressure ulcers occur. If moisture collects due to incontinence or perspiration there is an increased probability of pressure sores. The constant moisture causes the skin to break down and thus increasing that likelihood.
One way of prevention of bed sores is the clean the skin as soon as it is soiled. However, that will only help prevent the latter. If the former is more of a concern, you will want to look into something on the order of a low air loss mattress or a low air loss rotating pressure mattress.
An alternating pressure and low air loss alternating pressure mattresses are for the prevention and treatment of bed sores. The goal is to relieve pressure in order to allow blood flow to better circulate. In an alternating pressure mattress there are a number of air bladders in which the air flow fluctuates at differing times. This causes a rotation of pressure again, helping the blood flow circulate, which in turn helps to prevent bed sores.
As always, you will need to speak with your loved one’s health care provider to decide what direction you should go for the bed. Also, keep in mind, this only helps in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and you want to make sure that you take into account the over all health of the person.
Why a Low Air Loss Mattress
by Shannon Anspaugh
A loved one suddenly finds themselves bedridden. It could be due to the aging process of the body, a depilating disease or an accident that brought this on. However, they are now faced with the frustration of relying on others to take care of them. And you have more than likely heard about the discomfort they feel. It doesn’t talk that long for the skin and body to suffer, especially if they cannot adjust their position themselves.
There is a way to help them be more at ease even if you can’t give them back the vitality they once enjoyed. A Low air loss mattress is one way. These mattresses are designed to help stave off pressure ulcers, also called bed sores.
Pressure ulcers occur for a variety of reasons. If a body has pressure, usually in a boney area, and goes unrelieved for a period of time that can cause a pressure ulcer. Other factors are can include medications, age, friction or humidity. In all cases, a low air loss mattress can help.
So what is a low air loss mattress? It is a medical air mattress that specifically assists with managed the heat and/or humidity that can occur close to the skin via air flow. These are usually in combination with a mattress that also has alternating pressure.
Alternating pressure means that the mattress rotates or cycles through the relieving pressure in various zones. This is especially helpful to patient who cannot turn or move themselves.
There are many options for mattresses and what type would be best for your. It’s always best to speak with your health care provider when looking into mattress options.
What People Should Know About Bariatrics
By Frank Beemer
What People Should Know About Bariatrics Times, they are a-changing. As with the old Bob Dylan song - we know that nothing stands still. Besides time, we know that medical advances, scientific discoveries, sadly age etc., all move on. With that comes a new development in equipment available on the market today, specifically for the bariatric person. The dictionary definition of bariatrics is the medical division dealing with obesity - but lets not close our minds to obesity. Immediately we all think of an obese person, we imagine someone with a huge plate of food in front of them. This is definitely not the case. There are very many people who suffer from a range of medical problems, resulting in an increase in weight - putting them into the bariatric range.
Because of the increase in a bariatrics population, there has been a need to develop the products to make their daily lives more bearable and importantly, safe. Bariatric products, be they chairs, shower chairs, bath boards etc, should be able to cope with weights up to a minimum of 28 Stone, and the higher limit is +- 60 Stone.
It is a matter of safety that bariatric products are tested to these limits -imagine a bath board collapsing whilst in use. The injury to the person concerned could be quite horrific. Chairs, for example rise and recline chairs, are built specifically with heavy-duty chassis to cope with the extra weight bearing. Consider for a minute - an overweight person is less likely to be up and about exercising, meaning that in the long run they will put on more weight, and the chair they are sitting in, or the bed they are laying in, will need to take extra weight over the life expectancy of that product. A number of medical conditions effect the legs, which leaves the person suffering from very swollen calves or thighs. This could mean that a rise and recline chair would be expected to operate with approximately 18 stone just on the footrest. Unless the chair purchased was specifically a bariatrics product and had extra motors and a strengthened chassis - the chair would collapse, possibly causing injury. One last cause for concern - the environmental assessment that is required. Again, using the rise and recline chair as an example. The chair itself could weigh between 20 and 30 stone. Add to that the weight of the person, say 30 Stone. Add to that the force of someone dropping down into a chair - and what you end up with is a floor that needs to be tested before this much weight can be placed on it. Most downstairs areas in homes are suitable - but not necessarily a pre-fabricated house or similar. Bariatric products are on the market to help make lives easier - they should be used with care and correctly and people in the weight brackets will need to spend the money for their own safety to have the correct product.
Adjustable beds can help with Acid Reflux and muscle aches"
By Pat Jansen
Adjustable beds can help with Acid Reflux and muscle aches Almost everyone has seen and knows about adjustable beds. These are the kind of beds used in hospitals that have all the adjustments to allow for maximum comfort. Although some can be adjusted manually, most beds in use today are electrically operated by the user. There are many reasons why you should consider an adjustable bed.
COMFORT: As we age, our sleeping preferences change. Some people prefer several pillows to raise their head. Others place pillows under their knees to relieve back stress. An adjustable bed removes the limitations of using pillows to put your body in a comfortable position. A simple push of a few buttons and your bed is set to it's most comfortable position.
USABILITY: Bedrooms have changed a lot over the years becoming not only a place to sleep but a get away oasis for many. Many master bedrooms are now equipped with full sized televisions and even entertainment centers. The latest in master suite designs also add a fireplace for that romantic though practical touch. Watching that television or enjoying the fireplace however can be uncomfortable from a typical flat bed. The reason is that a flat bed only allows for a single position. An adjustable bed allows full range of motion that can put you in the most comfortable position to actually enjoy your bedroom retreat. Watching television or enjoying the fireplace is easily accomplished by adjusting your bed to a reclining position. Your bed can literally become the most comfortable chair in the house for watching TV, reading or just relaxing.
BETTER SLEEP: Unlike typical flat beds, an adjustable bed can be adjusted to match your most comfortable sleeping position. Backaches disappear and there's no need for those pillows under your legs to straighten out your spine. One of the most rapidly growing ailments for many of us is Acid Reflux disease. Acid reflux is caused by the flap between the esophagus and stomach not sealing completely. In a flat bed, this condition may allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus and throat, giving a sense of choking or drowning. It's also most unpleasant as it also usually ends up causing a deep burning sensation of the esophageal lining. One successful method to limit this condition while sleeping is to use gravity. By raising your head, the sloping position limits the ability of stomach acid to travel back up the esophagus, thereby limiting the sleep disruption capacity of the disease. Instead of trying to prop several pillows up to keep your head raised, an adjustable bed makes it easy and much more comfortable to sleep. So in the end, if you enjoy your bedroom as a personal retreat or just want a better, more comfortable nights sleep, and then consider an adjustable bed.
Bed Sores and Alternating Pressure
By Kat Lively
Sometimes it is necessary to remain seated or bedridden for an indeterminate amount of time. Whether you suffer from paralysis or are recovering from surgery, some situations cannot be helped. While some definitely need the time to recover from illness, there are side effects to prolonged inactivity that can hinder a full recovery. Bed sores are the most common, but the good news is that they are treatable and preventable.
What are bed sores?
Bed sores are also known as pressure sores, pressure ulcers, decubiti, or decubitus ulcers. They begin as red, painful areas on the skin (often the legs and backside) and may turn purple or even black if undetected or untreated. In some cases, bed sores can lacerate and become infected, causing further medical problems. Bed sores are of particular concern among the aged and paralyzed, as they can lead to fatal conditions. Actor Christopher Reeve, paralyzed after an accident, succumbed to illness brought on by severe bed sores that became infected.
What causes bed sores?
Inactivity is the most common cause of pressure sores. Sores develop on the skin when the blood supply is cut off from that particular area of the body. As the skin dies it becomes rough and discolored, and very painful when pressure is applied.
Alternating pressure in prevention and treatment
The best way to prevent bed sores is good blood circulation to all parts of the body. Relieving pressure points in the legs and coccyx muscles can promote healthy blood flow and in turn regenerate healthy skin. For this purpose, alternating pressure may be applied as part of treatment if a patient is unable to move or leave a chair or bed.
Alternating pressure refers to a device that inflates and deflates in sections. Think of an air mattress or air seat cushion. As one pocket, the air is stagnant and does not move. When you sit on one, it may feel like sitting on an elevated version of the chair. Circulation remains the same.
Alternating pressure, however, works in a cushion devised of two or more air bladders interconnected to alternate inflating and deflating. Some bladders rise while others fall, and vice versa. This constant movement in a cushion lifts and shifts the body in place, so even though one is sitting there is opportunity for better circulation.
Where there is better blood flow, naturally, there is less discomfort. The technology of alternating pressure is not exactly new, as it has been used in hospitals to treat patients with bed sores. This is because alternating pressure keeps the blood moving and the skin healthy, allowing it to breathe. When skin breathes, it maintains a healthy color and elasticity.
For people suffering bed sores, it is advised to consult a physician or therapist with regards to alternating pressure cushions for pain relief. A cushion will not cure the ailment, but can make recovery and treatment more comfortable.
About the Author
Kat Lively is a freelance health writer for Compuslim, hoodia pills [http://www.compuslim.com] for appetite suppression, FlowCushion, the ergonomic seat cushion for home and office, and for Rainfloresta, quality acai products for good health.
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Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Sores - The Right Mattress Can be a Remedy
By Benjamin Hermsen
For anyone in a wheel chair or who is relegated to bed for any length of time, pressure sores, also known as “bed sores” are an eminent threat. Complications from pressure sores can be fatal and, in fact, kill one in 12 people with spinal cord injuries in the U.S. Pressure sores are not easy to treat and can be difficult to avoid, but with a basic knowledge of causes, treatments and precautions, one is better equipped to deal with the threat of pressure sores.
Pressure sores are caused when the weight of the body, resting on a surface, cuts off circulation to certain areas. Without blood flow, the affected tissue dies, creating a pressure sore. The severity of a pressure sore can range from a superficial wound, which heals once pressure is relieved, to a severe wound with irreparable skin damage as well as muscle, bone, joint, and even tendon damage. These more severe pressure sores can lead to infections which include joint infections, gas gangrene, and sepsis (bacteria from an infection entering the blood stream, often leading to shock and organ failure).
Treatment for pressure sores can be difficult. The first step is always to relieve the pressure responsible for the sore. Pressure can be relieved by shifting often to avoid sustained pressure in one area, as well as by using surfaces with good support. These surfaces include mattresses, cushions, and pads, designed to evenly distribute the weight of the body. One material which does an excellent job distributing weight is foam, such as memory foam or latex, which was designed to avoid creating pressure points on the body.
After the pressure is relieved, keeping the sore clean becomes important. A superficial wound can be cleaned using a mild soap while more serious wounds should be cleaned with saline solution (saltwater), to avoid infection. Dead tissue must be removed for a sore to heal properly. This can be done through surgery or less invasive means such as irrigation devices that allow the bodies own enzymes to remove devitalized tissue. Some sores are so severe that they require reconstructive surgery, which has one of the highest complication rates of any surgery.
The best remedy is prevention. This can be done by taking precautions to avoid conditions precipitate of sores. It is important to shift often when in a wheelchair or in bed to avoid continuous lack of circulation to one area. It is also important to check daily for pressure sores, as the more quickly they are found the more quickly and safely they can be treated. Again, support surfaces play a role in effective avoidance of pressure sores. It is important to have a sleeping surface or padding that distributes pressure evenly. There are many effective materials that can be used including gel, water, air, and foam supports.
To learn more about advances in mattress technology and how they can directly benefit you, visit the home of the best latex mattressat FoamSource and learn more about getting the best nights sleep.
About the Author
Ben Hermsen is the Director of Research for Foamsource Inc. Mastering the art of foam since 1985, Foamsource.com is a member of the Better Business Bureau Online and can be contacted at questions@foamsource.com or by calling 1-800-255-0181
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Relief And Treatment For Bed Sores
By Evelyn Lim
Treatment for bed sores may be made via a conventional or herbal approach. Additionally, some dietary recommendations and nutritional supplements can also help to relieve bed sores. As in most other illness, prevention is better than treatment when it comes to bed sores.
Conventional Treatment for Bed Sores
* You need to take immediate steps to relieve pressures off the affected spot where a bed sore is developing. Keep the area clean and dry. You may also need to clean foam underlay may ease the pressure on the site. If your condition does not become serious, then you can expect that the bed sore will heal on its own.
* In more aggressive treatment modes, absorbent foam-like bandages are used and changed frequently. Special dressings with a water-based suspension help to cover and protect the site. To prevent infection, your doctor may also recommend that you use a topical antibiotic ointment.
Herbal Treatment for Bed Sores
Herbal treatment should be used only on closed wounds. Open wounds should be attended by your doctor.
* Herbalists often recommend the use of aloe vera, which is very effective against sores. It is applied topically in ointment, gel or cream form.
* Topical calendula cream soothes and heals wounds wonderfully.
Dietary Guidelines
In addition to conventional and herbal treatment for bed sores, making some dietary changes can also help alleviate your symptoms.
* Change to simple diet. Consume lots of fresh fruits, and green and yellow vegetables to obtain ample supplies of vitamin C, vitamin A, minerals and phytonutrients.
* Drink plenty of pure water to ensure that you stay well hydrated.
Nutritional Support
You should always consult your doctor before taking any of the following nutritional support, particularly if you have diabetes or another condition that would make bed sores worsen quickly.
* Sufferers of bed sores are often deficient in certain basic nutrients. Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement daily.
* Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes the health of the skin and blood vessels. A study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that bedridden patients with bed sores had significantly lower levels of vitamin C in their blood than equally bedridden patients without bed sores.
* Zinc supports the immune system and promotes wound healing. You should not consume zinc on an empty stomach as doing this may cause you stomach upset.
Cautionary Advice
Prior to starting any treatment for bed sores, you will need to rule out other possibilities. It may not be a bed sore that you are suffering from. Another disorder may just be mimicking a bed sore, especially if the sore seems to intensify at an unusually rapid rate. These include herpes lesions, bacterially induced skin ulcers, and even skin cancer. Treatment will differ for these cases.
About the Author
Evelyn Lim publishes a newsletter on Eczema Natural Treatment Thousands have read her articles and journey from ailing to healing skin. Gain access to free tips, her story and reviews on natural skin care products here at http://www.eczematreatmentsecrets.com
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How To Get Rid Of Bed Sores
By Paola Gomez
Bed sores (also known as pressure ulcers and decubitus) are caused by unrelieved pressure on any part of the body, usually on the back or any bony or cartilaginous area. They can also occur on areas that do not have the benefit of body fat as padding. The pressure is due to lying or sitting down in one position for an extended period of time, resulting in that area having to bear the full weight of the body. Due to the pressure, the blood supply is cut off. Shortage of blood for an extended period of time may cause tissue damage or cell death. When blood is re-introduced to the tissue, it may result in reperfusion injury.
People who are bedridden, in a coma or are largely paralyzed and can't move their body are the usual victims of this condition. Bed sores can be treatable if found early, but if they are not given medical attention right away, they can become very serious and even life-threatening. The sores start out as a reddish, painful area that then becomes purple. Left alone and untreated, the skin may break out, causing infection to set in.
Bed sores are classified in four stages, according to their severity, as given by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.
Stage I is the most superficial. The most telling indication of sores in Stage I is redness that does not go away when pressure is relieved. The skin can feel hotter or cooler to the touch than normal and may have an odd texture. It can also be painful.
Stage II is damage to the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and may extend to the dermis (the layer under the epidermis), but not beyond it.
Stage III is damage to the whole skin but not through the subcutaneous tissue layer. At this layer, the wound may mask greater underlying damage than what it is showing on the outside. In this layer, blood supply is poor and healing can be difficult.
Stage IV is the deepest of the pressure ulcer and can extend even down to the bone.
Healing time is prolonged the higher the stage is. For example, at Stage II, healing can take eight weeks, while at Stage IV, roughly 62% ever heal, with 52% of them within one year.
Depending on the stage of the sore, there are things you can do to get rid of the sores or, at the very least, ease the condition.
Relieve the pressure. Pressure is the main cause of sore aggravation for patients with the condition. Once a bed sore has been found, the patient should be turned around at least once every two hours to relieve the pressure on the afflicted area. For patients who are paralyzed or unable to move, constant supervision is especially necessary since they need to be assisted in order to shift positions. There are also pressure-distributive mattresses like Repose that can also be used to reduce the pressure on bony areas of the body.
Use mattresses or equipment that reduce or address pressure problems. Natural sheepskin, in particular, is comfortable and soft. It is friction-free due to natural fibers that are also protected with natural oils. Weight redistribution over a large area is also one of sheepskin's qualities that helps ease the pressure. On top of that, the springy wool fibers are high-density, making for comfortable and relatively reduced pressure on body parts.
Padding made of sheepskin also reduces the moisture produced on the skin when you lie in one position or area for too long. Sheepskin fibers can hold 30 to 36% of the moisture without becoming damp. The elimination of moisture from the skin and into the fibers is another way of relieving or even preventing bed sores from happening.
Improve your diet with added nutritional support. Malnutrition is one of the worst things that could happen to a person afflicted with bed sores. You need the proper assortment of vitamins and minerals-especially vitamin C and zinc-in order to make the sores heal faster and resist infections more. A healthy, nutritional diet also protects your skin and guards it against breakdown. Get enough calories and protein as well.
If you think you're malnourished, consult your physician or dietitian so they will be able to give you a good dietary program based on the severity of your condition. A dietitian can also make sure that what you're currently eating will not get in the way of your recovery.
Clean the wounds and sores often. Cleaning the sores is important to minimize the risk of infection. Use a saline solution every time the dressing is changed. Saline solutions can be bought at any drugstore or can be made at home. Boil one teaspoon of salt in one quart of water for about five minutes. Let the solution cool and store in a clean and sterile container. Hydrogen peroxide is not recommended since its toxicity is pretty difficult to balance with respect to the wound.
When dressing the wound, the basic rule of thumb is to keep the wound moist but the skin around it dry. For sores in the earlier stages, a covering may not be needed, but those in the second stage usually need gauze that retains the moisture and encourages the growth of skin cells.
Remove damaged tissue. For wounds or sores that are relatively more serious, removal of the dead tissue (called debridement) is essential for faster recovery and healing. Damaged tissue removal will depend on what type of wound you have and your overall condition. There are several ways your physician can remove damaged or necrotic tissue:
- Autolytic debridement: the use of moist dressings to remove dead tissue.
- Biological debridement: medical maggots feed on the dead tissue. While it may sound unhygienic and gross, this method is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
- Chemical debridement: the use of approved enzymes that promote removal of the dead or damaged tissue.
- Mechanical debridement: outside forces are used to remove damaged tissue. This is wholly unpopular because it has the chance of removing the healthy tissue; it involves packing the wound with wet dressing that is allowed to dry. Once the dressing is dry, it is removed. The result can be quite painful as well.
- Sharp debridement: the use of sharp instruments like scalpels to remove dead or damaged tissue.
- Surgical debridement: allows a surgeon to surgically remove the dead tissue. It is the most popular of all the debridement methods.
- Ultrasound-assisted wound therapy: ultrasound used to separate damaged and healthy tissues.
Bed sores can be a very serious and inconvenient condition when they get worse. As always, prevention is the best option when it comes to bed sores. In the late stages of the condition, healing takes time, so you need a lot of patience, not to mention willpower, to get through it.
Getting Rid Of Bed Sores
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