bed sores?any suggestions how one can manage them effectively?

Question

this individual is immobile must stay in bed because she is paraplegic with a weak back she can not use a wheelchair.

Answer 1

You can get special mattresses which prevent the sores, otherwise it is sudocrem and massage. Good luck.

Answer 2

Occasionally move the patient in a different position. As bed sores are caused by being immobile and in a certain position, where too much weight is put on a particular pressure point. Special beds are also available. Some daily excerise is helpful as it increases blood supply to that area, this may help in preventing them and stop progression. If developed to an extent where special dressings are not effective, antibiotics maybe prescribed.

Answer 3

Bed sores or pressure sores are caused by pressure on a specific part of the body that restricts the blood flow, causing the skin to die. The primary prevention is to change the position of the patient frequently to prevent a spot from getting too much pressure for too long.

An egg crate mattress (a bumpy piece of foam that goes on top of a bed) helps reduce the risk, but changing position is still necessary.

Pads or pillows can be used to remove pressure for periods of time, but need to be moved frequently as well. Avoid lying on bony areas with little skin or fat protection, like the hip or heels.

Hope that helped.

Answer 4

How are pressure sores treated?
Three things help pressure sores heal:

Relieving the pressure that caused the sore
Treating the sore itself
Improving nutrition and other conditions to help the sore heal.

1) Don't lie on pressure sores. Use foam pads or pillows to take pressure off the sore. Special mattresses, mattress covers, foam wedges or seat cushions can help support you in bed or in a chair to reduce or relieve pressure. Try to avoid resting directly on your hip bone when you're lying on your side. Use pillows under one side so that your weight rests on the fleshy part of your buttock instead of on your hip bone. Also, use pillows to keep your knees and ankles apart. When lying on your back, place a pillow under your lower calves to lift your ankles slightly off the bed. Change your position at least every 2 hours.

2) When sitting in a chair or wheelchair, sit upright and straight. An upright, straight position will allow you to move more easily and help prevent new sores. If you cannot move by yourself, have your caregiver shift your position at least every hour, or more often if possible

3)Good nutrition is important because it helps your body heal the sore. If you don't get enough calories, protein and other nutrients, your body won't be able to heal, no matter how carefully you care for the pressure sore. Your doctor or nurse or a dietitian can give you advice about a healthy diet. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have lost or gained weight recently.

Answer 5

Tempura Med are a make of visco elastic mattress that can be obtained now by the general public, it has been and is used in the NHS very successfully. It spreads the load very effectively and I believe was designed by NASA, although may be wrong. There are other more complex mattresses that will inflate varying chambers over allotted time to alter the position and points of pressure. These are available in hospital and I would assume would be available to people ln your situation. By the way a much better cream is Cavalon from 3M they don't produce a lot of good stuff but that is one of them.

Answer 6

1. Use air or water bed.
2. Change the sides every two hours.
3. Keep the wounds dry.
4. Clean the wound with Betadine. .
5. Apply appropriate ointment, cream or oil at the regular intervals.

Answer 7

Get a memory foam mattress like Tempur, they are expensive but brilliant! Do not use starch on cotton sheets and keep air circulating round the bed by using a cage over the feet. Also keep her cool as possible and talcumed.

Answer 8

She needs the correct pressure matress, depending on her waterlow score. A district nurse or occupational therapist will be able to assess and organise this. - contact her GP surgery. You are best not to try DIY methods, as you could get things wrong and make matters worse.

Answer 9

you need to turn her regularly so she spends some time on each side and some on her back this way she is not spending too long in one posistion

also contact social services or the hospital ( iaaume she has a consultant ) or doctor

you can get special matresses ( i think they are called ripplle matresses) which 'move' slowly from top to bottom and back again ( i cant expliain it very well)

my dad had one when he was in hospital

Answer 10

1)She must be tilted to sides rt< frequently.2)She must have her back cleaned with spirit and have a gentile back massage.3)Talcum powder must be applied to back.4)Her legs must be moved frequently to improve circulation.5)She must be encouraged to move her hands voluntarily as exercise.
Bed sores are best prevented.