What Are Bed Sores?

Bed sores are injuries to the skin as well as the tissues beneath the skin that occur because of obstructed blood flow. This happens when excessive pressure is placed upon the soft tissues, meaning that they are particularly common on the boniest parts of the body such as the buttocks, the hips, the lower back, the elbows, the knees, the ankles, and even the back of the head. Although bed sores start out as red patches, extreme cases can result in the exposure of muscle, tendons, and even bone, making them a serious issue.

If you are someone with mobility issues, you need to take steps to prevent the formation of bed sores, particularly if your blood flow is already impeded by your smoking. After all, preventing bed sores is much easier than treating them, not to mention less painful and less unpleasant as well.

How Can You Prevent Bed Sores?

Your simplest and most straightforward method for preventing bed sores is to shift your weight about 4 times an hour. Furthermore, you should make sure to reposition yourself once an hour by asking for assistance if necessary.

However, there are also tools and features that can be used to relieve the pressure. For example, if you use a wheelchair, you should consult your physical therapist about what kind of cushion would be best-suited to your personal needs. Alternatively, if you are bed-bound, you should look into specialized cushions, specialized mattresses, and even bed elevation as ways of relieving the pressure. If you have sufficient arm strength, you can even use trapeze bars and the like to reposition yourself as needed.

Finally, a good diet and good skin-care can also contribute to healthy skin free from bed sores. Please note that even the best measures can fail, which is why all of these measures should be combined with a daily inspection for potential issues.

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