Pressure Sores on Heels of Older People
Sitting or lying for too long without moving is not good particularly for older
people. It can cause a condition called pressure sores.
Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin that become open wounds. It is
naturally to shift position from time to time when you’re asleep or just sitting. But
when a person is too sick or too old to move frequently, he is prone in getting
pressure sores. Experts explain this to happen when the weight of the body
presses down the skin resulting in lack of blood flow. The skin cells die and the
skin starts to break down. It tends to occur over the bony parts of the body.
Pressure sores can be serious as life-threatening if left untreated or underlying
health conditions prevent them from healing. It is also called pressure ulcer.
Moreover, there are other factors attributed in worsening conditions when
afflicted by pressure sores. Traction, or when the skin is stretched by being
wedged against something, also stops blood flow to the skin. When the skin is
stretched, there is much pressure involved on the part of the skin. Repeated
friction on top layers of the skin can lead worse pressure ulcers. Moisture can
weaken or damage the protective outer layer of the skin if it is exposed for a long
time. Example of moisture in skin is urine or sweat. Also, inadequate nutrition
increases the risk of developing pressure ulcers and slows the healing process
when the person has already the developed the sores. People with diets deficient
on protein, vitamin C or zinc have slow skin repairing body functions.
The starting symptoms of pressure sores are pain and itching, but
categorized in four stages according to the severity of damage. Stage 1 is
redness and inflammation. Stage 2 is shallow skin loss which includes abrasions
and blisters. Stage 3 is the full-thickness skin loss down to the layer of fat. And
the most severe is the Stage 4, where full-thickness skin loss with exposure of
underlying muscle, tendon or bone. The area around the pressure sore becomes
red and feel warm, and the pain worsens if the infection spreads to the
surrounding skin which causes cellulitis. Infection can even penetrate the bone
which is called osteomyelitis that requires weeks of treatment with antibiotics.
The most severe case is when the infection spread into the bloodstream which
results to sepsis, high fever and shaking chills. However, it could be prevented to
progress from mild to severe stages if diagnosed and treated immediately.
Not all old people acquire pressure sores. But, aging itself causes
changes in tissues which is more prone to pressure ulcers. The outer layers
become thin and decreases in fat and muscle content that is more easily
ruptured. However, due to conditions of some certain old people, they are more
likely to develop pressure sores particularly on heels.
Immobility is the primary cause of developing pressure sores in old
people. Those who are greatly in risk are debilitated, paralyzed or incontinent. An
example is a stroke patient. Most stroke patients are confined in a wheelchair.
Continuous pressure on the heel without shifting movements would likely develop
heel pressure ulcers. Moreover, such patients lose sensation due to nerve
damage. And because of this, they do not feel discomfort or pain that would be
the first symptoms of pressure sores. People who take care of them would only
notice the sores when it has already developed.
The unlikelyness to walk around for the aging people also risks them from
heel pressure ulcers. The tissue around the area of the sole is not exercised
enough and tends to put more pressure when just sitting.
Prevention is still the best way in dealing with pressure sores. Thorough
daily inspection of bedridden or chairbound person’s skin can detect early
symptoms of sores. They should be repositioned every hour by the people who
take care of them, either a family member or a personal caregiver. The skin must
be kept clean and dry because dry skin is less likely to cause friction.
But when the pressure sores start to develop, immediate treatment must
be taken into place. The main goals of treatment procedure are relieving
pressure on the sores, keeping it clean, and providing sufficient nutrition that will
help heal the sores. A well-balanced diet that is high in protein, vitamin C and
zinc is highly recommended.
It is essential to early detect the pressure sores particularly on the heels of
aging people. But it is not enough to just look after their possible diseases, it is
more important to give them enough care that they need the most.
References:
http://emedicine.medscape.com
http://www.merck.com
http://www.nursingcenter.com
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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