We normally think what would possibly happen in lying in your bed. Bed is usually considered a safe and reserved place. However this could possibly be false for those that are given bed rest for months, years of lifetime. Bed sores is one of the commonly occurring problem for those on bed rest, especially in a condition where their movement is restricted. Bed sores are also called as pressure sores and develops ulcers in different parts of the body. It can usually happen in different portions of the body which could give ugly looking wounds. Today we will look at this condition in detail and know its stages of injury.
What are Bed Sores?
Bed sores or pressure sores are ulcers which take the form of wounds and injury situated in different parts of the body. We spoke to Dr. Sumeet Nigam, General Physician from Sahara Hospital, Lucknow to tell us about this condition in detail. He said that bed sores are actually ulcers which occur because of pressure on particular area of skin over a long period of time. This could possibly be very receptive and give you intense pain. People that are disabled or are on bed rest usually have this problem because fresh air is not available to the skin.
In the given period of time of bed rest or sitting on wheelchair, it is quite possible that you may get these sores. If it is treated in initial phase, then not much damage is done and it can cure itself over a time period by proper dressing. However if it is not given proper attention, then the ulcer may grown into an injury or wound which might be problematic.
Symptoms of Pressure Sores
There are limited symptoms of bedsores which are visible to the person. These symptoms include-
1. Change in colour of skin- If you are having pressure sores, then the area where you may have ulcer becomes comparatively dark over time and causes little bulge. It could turn into bluish, purple, or shiny. However skin colour depends from person to person and it is quite possible that you may have reddish skin which may last for 10-30 minutes initially.
2. Texture Changes- the texture of the skin might also change over time when more pressure is exerted over a particular area. You may have spongy or warm skin in the area where ulcers usually prevail.
3. Broken skin- this symptom occurs over a period of weeks, when the position of the person does not change and pressure constantly occurs on a particular place. The wound or skin injury might become more serious after this symptom.
4. Infection- if you have infection in the skin or any part of the body, then it means that ulcer has increased over injury and there is a strong chance that you may get wound over that region. In this, the sensation around the skin becomes minimal and there is a presence of pus, green and black tissue around the sore.
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Where does Bed Sores occur?
Bed sores can occur at multiple locations on your body. It can be present on the body of the person and while sitting on a particular place. It can be around the following regions-
- Buttocks and near tailbone of the person
- Spinal section of back
- Shoulder blades
- At the back of arms of legs
- Ankles
- Helps
- Elbows
- Back of your head
Causes of Bed Sores
The most probable reason for developing pressure sore or bed sore is that it could be caused because of staying put at a particular region. The risk of infection and developing sores can be constant which might become problematic over time. Wounds that occur because of ulcers in the skin needs to be attended as soon as possible.
- Here are some common causes of developing bed sores-
- Spending a lot of time sitting on chain or laying on bed
- Wearing the prosthesis or surgical appliance for long time on your body
- Wearing ill fitted or tight fitting shoes or footwear
These sores develop when the pressure is exerted on the particular vein, blood vessels or tissues for a long period. It tends to become distorted and compressed, resulting to poor circulation of blood in the region.
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Risk Factors of Getting Bed Sores
There are some probable risk factors which may arise if you do not attend bed sores carefully-
- Having older age because of which the skin becomes thinner
- Incontinence that could increase the risk of skin damage and infection
- Having low or very high body mass index
- Conditions such as diabetes, it reduces the feeling of pain
- Prolonged wound that could cause healing problems with poor blood circulation
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