what is the bed sore?

Answer 1

A pressure ulcer, or bed sore, is an area of skin and tissue damaged by prolonged pressure that cuts off oxygen and nutrients. Depriving oxygen and nutrients from specific areas can cause the death of skin and, eventually, the underlying tissues.

Not all ulcers are pressure ulcers. An ulcer is any open sore or break in the skin that extends beyond the top layer of skin (epidermis) and is accompanied by the sloughing off of dead tissue. Friction or trauma may also result in ulcers by wearing away or cutting past the skin.

Patients who have limited mobility, such as those confined to wheelchairs, and are confined to bed for long periods of time are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Although pressure ulcers can occur in anyone with limited mobility, paralyzed and comatose people are at higher risk because they are unable to shift and move, which relieves the pressure and restores circulation. People with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, are also more likely to develop pressure ulcers.

You can find more information, complete with pictures and diagrams, at the link below:

http://skin.health.ivillage.com/skinsignssymptoms/ulcer.cfm

Take good care!

Answer 2

The person above me is right on: also once the skin has broken down, this is a very hard thing to heal...and if this person is not eating well, it makes recovery even harder...circulation is the key here...if they are bedridden, this is also a problem...and they need to be turned often, to stop the pressure on the other limbs..