| Not feeling the pain of bed sores can be deadly. | | | | require heavy duty intravenous antibiotics. Thus, a |
| Not knowing when the biggest organ on your | | | | hospital stay may be necessary. |
| body is in trouble can lead to festering infections | | | | Preventing pressure sores |
| that cannot be cured. Also known as pressure | | | | To avoid further complications due to immobility, |
| sores, this is a major health concern for anyone | | | | it is better to learn how to avoid pressure sores |
| who is confined to a wheelchair or bed. | | | | or bed sores in the first place. Cushioning the |
| Feeling pain is not necessarily a bad thing. The | | | | body to relieve the pressure is a step in the right |
| inability to know when something hurts means the | | | | direction. Wheelchair cushions and egg crate |
| problem will be left untreated until discovered, | | | | mattress pads are both excellent methods of |
| because it is progressed to the point of becoming | | | | giving the skin a chance to breathe. |
| a health hazard. How else do you describe a | | | | In addition to cushioning, keeping the skin as clean |
| pressure sore that is now a gaping, oozing wound | | | | and dry as possible is important to promote a |
| that goes clear down to the bone? | | | | healthy epidermis. While cleaning the skin, be |
| Treatment for Advanced Bed Sores | | | | vigilant in checking for even the telltale signs of |
| Caring for an individual who may have limited | | | | bed sores. |
| motion and feeling in the body generally falls to | | | | Keeping the skin clean is only one way to lessen |
| the caregiver. It is extremely important to check | | | | the potential for bed sores. Although most people |
| everywhere the skin comes in constant contact | | | | may be surprised, good nutrition plays an |
| with the chair or bed. Under continuing pressure | | | | important part in helping sedentary individuals in |
| and friction, it does not take long for the | | | | maintaining good skin quality. However, many |
| circulation to the skin to be cut off. Then, the skin | | | | people who are confined to a bed or a wheelchair |
| will slough off and die. Once this occurs, a nasty | | | | do not have healthy appetites. So, it is imperative |
| sore has already become a challenge to treat with | | | | to eat healthy weather hunger is a factor or not. |
| bandages and ointments. | | | | Many small supplemental drinks are now available |
| Seek Professional Help | | | | to help guarantee people will receive the proper |
| If you, or your caregiver, notice a bed sore, do | | | | amount of nutrients for the day, in as little as 6 |
| not wait until it becomes an oozing mess to seek | | | | ounces of liquid. |
| a doctor's help. Going to the doctor, while | | | | In summary, individuals with mobility issues who |
| antibiotics can still facilitate healing, is preferable to | | | | are confined to a bed or wheelchair will always |
| waiting until a more invasive procedure is required. | | | | have to be on the lookout for bed or pressure |
| If a sore is too deep, the doctor will scrape away | | | | sores. Over time, circulation can be cut off to an |
| the dead skin and clean the infection from the | | | | area of the skin, causing deep infected wounds |
| wound. | | | | that may be fatal. So, take preventative |
| Depending on the depth and severity of the | | | | measures and seek medical help immediately, if a |
| pressure sore, you or your loved one may | | | | bed sore is discovered. |