Pressure Ulcers: Who is at Risk?

If you like watching movies, you must have heard of Christopher Reeve. He starred in the original Superman movie in 1987. Did you know that he died from pressure ulcer complications? Pressure ulcers (bedsores) are painful wounds due to excessive pressure on the skin, which causes tissue damage or death. If you are battling this condition in Fort Worth, TX, Dr. Autumn Savage and her team at Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine can help.

Although this condition is rare since your body makes numerous movements that help protect against pressure buildup in delicate areas of the body, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing the condition.

If you have mobility problems

If you have had a stroke, advanced degenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or a spinal injury, this can significantly affect your range of motion. Being restricted to bed rest or in a wheelchair significantly increases your risk of developing pressure ulcers. You can also develop pressure ulcers when you fall into a coma for some time. Lack of regular position changes during such times makes certain parts of your body be subjected to pressure for extended periods, making them susceptible to developing sores. If your loved one suffers from a mobility problem, always ensure a regular change of position in their bed or wheelchair.

If you suffer from certain diseases

If you suffer from certain diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease, this can increase your risk of getting pressure ulcers. Diabetes alters the normal flow of blood, making your tissues suffer from oxygen and nutrient deficiency. Kidney-related conditions can cause toxins to build up in the blood, which can lead to tissue damage. If you have heart conditions such as peripheral artery disease, this can cause a restricted blood flow, leading to tissue damage or death. Chronic pulmonary disease causes low oxygen levels in the blood, which increases the risk of bedsores.

The elderly

As you grow old, your skin continues to lose its elasticity, exposing it to damage. Your blood pressure and fat deposits also drop, which raises your chance of developing pressure ulcers.

People with eating disorders or poor nutrition

When you lack a balanced diet, the lack of vital nutrients affects your skin's elasticity. When your skin has limited elasticity, this predisposes you to develop pressure ulcers. If you have anorexia nervosa, this eating disorder can lead to poor nutrition, which is likely to contribute to a diagnosis of pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers are not only painful but also increase your risk of gangrene. Failure to seek early treatment for pressure ulcers can be fatal. If you are at risk of developing the condition, it is advisable to regularly visit your doctor for evaluation whenever your skin develops sores.

Your skin provides the first line of defense against infections. A breach in the integrity of this critical part of your body can be life-threatening. The team at Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine use modern technology coupled with combined experience to treat non-healing pressure wounds.