Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores)

An ulceration caused by prolonged pressure on the and when one stays in one position for a long period of time, such as lying in bed. The bony areas of the body are the most frequently affected.

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About Pressure Ulcers

Some people inevitably spend a lot of time in a sitting or lying position. Most of them keep moving and shifting a little, consciously or subconsciously. But people who are extremely weak, paralyzed or unconscious may sit or lie motionless in the same position for a very long time. This puts them at greater risk of developing pressure (also called bedsores or pressure sores), which are open caused by persistent external pressure against the . They can be very painful and usually take a long time to heal.

Causes

Pressure nearly always develop in places where there are right under the . This includes the , , hips, blades, , elbows, , and the back of your head.

If your body weight constantly “squashes” your skin in these places when you are sitting or lying, not enough can get through to provide and . The skin becomes thinner, and it may gradually die over time. This creates an open that is especially sensitive when you sit or lie on it.

Risk factors

People who are healthy quickly notice pain whenever there is too much pressure on one part of their body. But some health conditions can affect how you feel pain, and certain external factors can make pressure more likely to occur:…