Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are primarily caused by sustained pressure that reduces blood flow to vulnerable areas of the body. This lack of blood flow damages the skin and underlying tissue.
Understanding the Main Cause
The core reason for bedsores is prolonged pressure. When an area of the body is pressed against a surface for too long, the blood vessels in that area become compressed. This compression reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the skin and tissue, causing damage.
How Pressure Develops
- Immobility: Being confined to a bed or wheelchair for long periods significantly increases the risk.
- Sustained Positioning: Remaining in the same position for hours, without shifting or repositioning, causes constant pressure.
- Hard Surfaces: Sitting or lying on hard surfaces can increase the pressure on specific areas.
Contributing Factors
While pressure is the primary cause, several other factors can increase a person’s vulnerability to developing bedsores. These factors include:
- Friction and Shear: When the skin rubs against a surface, it can cause damage, particularly if the skin is also under pressure. This occurs, for example, when someone is pulled or slides across a bed.
- Moisture: Excessive moisture, such as from sweat, urine, or wound drainage, can soften the skin and make it more vulnerable to damage.
- Poor Nutrition: Lack of adequate nutrition, especially protein, can weaken the skin and its ability to heal.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions, like diabetes, poor circulation, and nerve damage, can increase the risk of bedsores.
- Age: Older individuals may have thinner, more fragile skin and reduced mobility, making them more prone to developing bedsores.
Areas Most Commonly Affected
Bedsores tend to develop over bony prominences, where the bone is close to the skin and receives most of the pressure. These areas include:
- Hips
- Tailbone (sacrum)
- Heels
- Elbows
- Ankles
- Shoulders
- Back of the head
Preventing Bedsores
Prevention is crucial to avoiding bedsores. Strategies to prevent them include:
- Repositioning: Regularly changing position to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas.
- Pressure-Relieving Devices: Using mattresses, cushions, and pads that redistribute pressure.
- Skin Care: Keeping the skin clean and dry to minimize damage from moisture.
- Nutrition and Hydration: Ensuring proper nutrition and hydration to maintain skin health.
- Regular Inspection: Routinely checking for any signs of skin damage.
By understanding the causes of bedsores and implementing preventative measures, individuals and healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of developing these painful and potentially dangerous ulcers.
