Bed Sores Treatment: Prevention Of Bed Sores And Bed Sores Stages

Question: Can you give more information on what are bedsores (pressure sores)? What are the different stages of it? Tips on preventing bed sores naturally and bed sores treatment.

Answer: Bed sores are the ulcers which occur in the pressure areas of the skin overlying the bony prominence. Bed sore occur in old age persons who are debilitated and are not able to move out of the bed, in hemiplegic persons and very ill patients. Due to continuous lying in the bed there is sustained pressure, which cuts off the circulation of the blood to the vulnerable parts of the body, such as skin of buttocks, sacral region, heels, and elbows.

The affected tissue dies as a result of deficient or no blood supply.

Patients At Risk Of Bed Sores

Immobilized patients
Patient is in coma for a long time
Obese patients who are immobilized and suffering from diabetes.
Paralytic patients having incontinence of urination.

Stages Of Bed Sores

Bed sore are classified into four stages:

Stage 1: this is the starting of bed sores, there is an area of red skin, which may be itching, painful and warm to feel. If the pressure is relieved it heals of its own.

Stage 2: the pressure has taken its toll on the deeper skin like epidermis.

There is and open sore which looks similar to an abrasion or a blister.

Stage 3: now the wound is deep and it has gone below the skin area and In the subcutaneous region with a crater formation at the site. The muscles and the bone are not damaged.

Stage 4: here the wound is deep and the muscles and the bone can be seen through the wound, there is muscle necrosis and tissue damage. This is most serious stage; secondary bacterial infection is very common in this stage.

Prevention Of Bed Sores

A good nursing care is appreciated if a patient does not develop bed sore, even after lying for a long time immobilized in the bed.

Change of position of the immobilized patient will help to decrease the pressure on the particular region for long time and thus help in preventing bed sore.

Water bed or air bed are used in patients who are immobilized for a long time.

Skin inspection of the pressure area should be done daily in bed ridden patients.

Proper and nutritious food should be taken regularly if the patient is bed ridden.

Home Remedies For Bed Sores

Bed sores of stage 1 and 2 heal of its own if the pressure is removed and the position of the patient is changed often.
Rubber rings, water beds are used in cases bed sores.

Bladder incontinence should be addressed as this keeps the area of the pelvis wet and moist.
Proper nutritious diet is advised containing vitamins and minerals need for circulation.