Bed sores

Is my ulcer a bedsore?

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are skin ulcers that develop on areas of the body where the blood supply has been reduced because of prolonged pressure; these may occur in people confined to bed or a chair, or in those who must wear a hard brace or plaster cast. Skin ulcers may become infected, with serious health consequences. Take care to improve your diet and actions to treat and cure your bedsores.

Turn, turn and turn again

Often, the treatment of bedsores cannot be effectuated by the patient him or herself. Bed-confined people must rely on others to find out how to manage the pressure of the skin on the bed so as to mitigate against sores and lesions. Turning the patient once every few hours, or enabling the sufferer to get up for some exercise and fresh air regularly will do a lot to stop the development of bed sores. Healthcare providers recommend shifting position at least every two hours to avoid sustained pressure on the same area of the body. Some people might benefit from special mattresses or supports.

Eat more protein

But it seems to be more than just especially attentive care that will cure a case of bedsores or prevent bedsores breaking out. Treating bedsores needs a careful diet as well as good care. Dietary deficiencies may well hinder the body's ability to heal pressure ulcers as far as the latest research suggests. Malnourished nursing home patients with skin ulcers can find that ulcer healing is significantly enhanced by a high-protein diet compared with a lower protein diet. A controlled study of critically ill older patients found that increasing calorie and protein intake with dietary supplements for 15 days reduced the risk of developing a skin ulcer. So, if you are bedridden and starting to suffer from bedsores, part of your treatment against bedsores should be a special bedsore-oriented diet.