When your mobility is reduced, and you end up bedridden or confined to a chair most of the day, certain problems are bound to arise, pressure injuries in particular. Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, occur when the skin, especially around bony areas with little muscle tissue, undergoes a lot of pressure and gets damaged.
If discomfort wasn't enough, injuries like this can lead to serious issues, such as those in the likes of meningitis. Once the pressure injuries occur, it can be difficult to treat them which is why it's best to do whatever you can to prevent them.
Sure you could try by changing the positions frequently no matter whether you're lying in bed or sitting, every few hours at least, yet chances are discomfort won't easily go away which is where pressure aids come in handy. There are various you could make use of, starting from overlays.
Since heat and moisture aren't exactly helping with the prevention of bed sores, it's important that you use moisture absorbent sheets and sheepskin overlay is just the right option. Additionally, the bedding itself ought to be soft, so the ideal solution would be bamboo, more so because of its hypoallergenic and breathable properties.
Another essential out of the variety of pressure aids is pressure care cushion which is designed to disperse the pressure. This way you'd be able to reduce the discomfort and even if there are bed sores it would make it easier to treat them. The same goes for pillows. Anywhere where you need more padding, count on the help of a pillow.
For instance, when lying in bed on your back, you can prevent the pressure on the tailbone by adding a pillow, as well as when you're lying on the side and your knees and ankles are pressed together.
Apart from acquiring the necessary aids, it's advisable to think of the hygiene. As long as the skin is maintained clean and dry, including those hard-to-reach areas, the chances for pressure ulcers are less. What's good to have in mind, however, is not to rub the skin hard with towels but to simply pat gently, otherwise you risk causing irritation.
Don't be afraid to ask for a helping hand. In case you can't get out of bed, have someone help you out in exercising in bed as much as possible, lifting the arms and the legs to keep the blood flow going.
