Bed Sores Can Be Fatal

It is important to be proactive, and seek the proper care if a sore does occur. For many people who are paralyzed and cannot feel the presence of pain on the skin, it will be incumbent on caregivers and aids to check for signs of bed sores every day, and do what is necessary to prevent bedsores in the first place.

For individuals who spend the majority of the day in bed or in a chair, bed sores are quite common. Medically speaking, these sores are referred to as pressure sores, because body weight is directed toward a particular area of the skin for so long that the skin actually dies. Sores begin to fester. Left untreated, they can go clear through to the bone, become severely infected, and result in death.

PRESSURE SORES STAGES

Case in Point:

Most people have heard of Christopher Reeves who played Superman in several movies. In the mid-nineties, he was thrown from a horse and suffered a neck fracture, resulting in permanent spinal cord injury.

Even with his fame and fortune, life was extremely difficult for Mr. Reeves and his family-to say the least. He had the best care that money could buy. A special chair to support his body, and help caregivers shift his position to prevent pressure sores, enabled him to begin working again as a director and an activist for those with spinal cord injuries.

Unfortunately, despite the loving care of his wife and nurses, Chris developed pressure sores in 2004. Eventually, the sores became severely infected. A fever ensued, followed by a coma, and he passed away. Surprisingly, the inability to breathe on his own was no the ultimate culprit of his demise. It was pressure sores.

How to Prevent Bed Sores

The best treatment for bed sores is to prevent them in the first place. Therefore, it is extremely vital to:

Shift Positions Frequently Careful Check of Areas Potential Affected Cleanliness Good Nutrition Bed and Chair Cushion to Reduce Pressure

The 5 steps to preventing pressure sores seem simply enough. But, it can be a challenge to keep it up day after day. For some, eating properly can be a challenge because it is difficult to eat, and individuals are simply not hungry. Cushions are so important. Two of the most common types are gel and egg crate foam material. It looks similar to the compartments that cradle eggs in shipping. Thus, it leaves areas of circulation to the skin, to help prevent pressure that results in bed sores.

Treating Bed Sores

Treating bed sores is very serious business. If you or someone you love has developed a pressure sore, do not mess around. Seek medical treatment right away. Depending on the severity, it may be a matter of keeping the area clean and taking the pressure away from that spot until healed. However, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight infection. If the bed sores become too involved, the doctor will need to do surgery, in order to remove the dead skin and clean out the infection in the wound.

In short, bed sores or pressure sores are not to be taken lightly. Left unattended or simply difficult to heal, the resulting infection can be fatal. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the body, and if it is compromised it cannot protect the other organs. So, get the education, equipment and supplies to prevent bed sores, and remain constantly vigilant to catch them before they catch you or someone you love.

Bed Sores Can Be Fatal

PRESSURE SORES STAGES