Best Air Mattress Articles for Medical Benefits

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.

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.

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.

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.