BEDSORES

Definition

Bedsores, also known as compression injuries od pressure ulcers, are wounds that are difficult to heal, skin lesions that usually lead to necrosis of the tissue: the sores do not only affect the superficial layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis) but go deeper, until they reach the subcutaneous layers, the muscles and the bone.

Causes

The cause that leads to the formation of pressure sores is not degenerative, nor infectious or unknown: the lesions are caused by a static position of the subject, forced into prolonged immobility for various reasons, such as plaster cast, broken limb bones, severe obesity , high-risk pregnancy (which forces the woman to be immobile in bed); sometimes, even the use of drugs can induce the subject to stay in bed. In such circumstances, the subject is forced to assume a static position, which causes an incorrect local blood flow, because the blood vessels undergo a compression; increase in pressure which, exceeding 40 mm of mercury, could cause obstruction of the vessels, coagulation and death of the tissue (necrosis).

Prevention

It should be remembered that pressure sores can be prevented with the help of family members or competent health personnel, attentive to the patient's needs: every two - three hours the subject should be helped to change the position, to stimulate blood circulation the diet should be very careful and regular, as well as body hygiene: not excessive but adequate. Furthermore, it is advisable to use specific and targeted aids for the prevention of sores, such as pillows, mattresses, disinfectants, bandages, dressings, etc .; hospital staff, or family members, must also consider any pre-existing pathologies (eg liver, metabolic, neurological disorders).
The prevention of bedsores is essential for the good state of health of the subject; in fact, the injuries that can result from a forced immobility can cause very serious effects, also affecting muscle and bone tissue. The damage caused, the greater the longer the immobility time, can be such as to induce even the death of the person: for this very reason the help of competent personnel is essential, who can and must prevent more serious consequences.
Compression sores cannot be considered “normal” wounds, as they cannot heal spontaneously, on the contrary they tend to become chronic; according to the severity of the sore, natural remedies (for small ulcers) or drugs (if the sores degenerate in critical stages reaching muscle and bone) can be used.

Symptoms

For further information: Symptoms Bedsores

The least dangerous level is characterized by erythema, thickening, hardening of the skin and loss of the natural color of the skin; then the lesion can progress manifesting lesions, blisters or abrasions at the level of the epidermis and dermis. If the damage becomes more and more consistent, it could affect large areas causing degeneration and death of the subcutaneous tissue (necrosis), slightly involving the muscle. In the last stage, which is the most risky for the subject's survival, the lesion extends from the muscles to the bones, from the tendons to the cartilages.

Care

As for the possible cures and treatments, if the pressure sore is of low entity and reversible, the use of targeted herbal products could be a good solution, obviously subject to medical advice. If, on the other hand, the lesion is more serious l " expert must direct the patient to the use of appropriate drugs, such as becaplermin and the cadexomer iodine, able to prevent the chronicization of the wound and to activate the repair processes of the damaged tissue.
The topical use of disinfectants (such as modern silver nanocrystals) is a good aid to reduce the bacteria that have settled in the pressure wound: the antibacterial substances help not only to create a balance of the bacterial load, but also to decrease the formation of necrotic bodies and fibrin, reducing the frequency of dressing of the sores.