Bedsores, what they are, how to prevent them and how to care for people with spinal cord injury
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One of the most frequent risks that a person with spinal cord injury or motor disability may have is developing bedsores. In this article we want to explain what they consist of and provide some useful tips to prevent them.
Bedsores (also called pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers) are lesions that occur on the skin and underlying tissue. These injuries are the result of prolonged pressure exerted on the skin when a person is immobilized for a long time. In most cases, bedsores appear on the skin that covers the bony parts of the body, such as heels, ankles, hips and coccyx.
People who are more likely to develop bedsores or pressure ulcers are those whose medical condition limits their mobility or their ability to change position. As a consequence, people in wheelchairs or who are in bed all the time are the most prone.
Pay attention to the following symptoms
As we already indicated, bedsores can develop in a few hours or days, so it is very important that family members or caregivers of the person with spinal cord injury or motor disability be very attentive to the following warning signs of pressure ulcers:
?Pressure ulcers go through different stages or stages, which are differentiated by their depth, severity and other characteristics. The degree of skin and tissue damage ranges from red, intact skin to deep injury involving muscle and bone.
Parts of the body where pressure ulcers usually appear
For people who use wheelchairs, bedsores often appear on the skin in the following places:
·???????Coccyx or buttocks
·???????Shoulder blades and spine
·???????Back of the arms and legs where they rest in contact with the chair
For people who need to stay in bed, bedsores may appear in the following places:
·???????Heels, ankles, and the skin behind the knees
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?When do we have to go to the doctor
If you notice warning signs of a pressure ulcer, change your position to relieve pressure on the area. If you don't see improvement within 24-48 hours, contact your doctor and don't waste any more time.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs of infection, such as a fever, discharge from a sore, a sore that smells bad, or increased redness, warmth, or swelling around a sore.
Additional recommendations to avoid the appearance of bedsores
In addition to carrying out these mobilizations, we must also check the condition of the skin on a daily basis and make sure that it is clean and well hydrated.
To avoid the appearance of ulcers, it is also essential to follow a diet with a balanced protein and vitamin intake rich in meat, fruit, vegetables and cereals, minimizing salt consumption to retain less fluid.
Drinking between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day is also essential to help the body eliminate toxins, improve food digestion and enrich the supply of nutrients to cells.
As far as possible, and taking into account the patient's condition, gentle exercises such as stretching can be done or trying to walk only if you have enough mobility.
For people who have some type of mobility, it is important to teach them to change position on their own, whether sitting in a wheelchair or in bed.
Using anti-decubitus mattresses and anti-decubitus cushions for the wheelchair is very helpful. Although these elements do not replace changes in posture, they are highly recommended to help rest pressure areas, and represent an improvement in the prevention of pressure ulcers.
Bedding must be clean and wrinkle-free.
It is important to inform the doctor if we observe changes in the skin of our family member and follow their instructions.
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Note: Article made taking information from various sources and the Mayo Clinic.