| CHRONIC WOUNDS, DECUBITIS, PRESSURE | | | | ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, although |
| SORES: THEY PLAGUE MILLIONS OF HELPLESS, | | | | other wounds, such as surgical wounds, can also |
| BED-RIDDEN PEOPLE. SOMEDAY, IT COULD | | | | become a source of chronic non-healing. |
| HAPPEN TO YOU! BUT A NEW INVENTION CAN | | | | Diabetic foot ulcers |
| STOP THIS PLAGUE! | | | | |
| Nursing home abuse and neglect are often the cause | | | | |
| of decubitis ulcers. When a nursing home facility | | | | Diabetics are prone to foot ulcers due to peripheral |
| provides a sub-standard level of care by failing to | | | | neuropathy: decreased sensation caused by this |
| prevent decubitis ulcers, or neglecting to avoid the | | | | condition can result in a cut and trauma to the foot |
| causes, patients can suffer serious and life threatening | | | | going unnoticed or can result in unusual pressures |
| injuries. At least 60,000 people die from the | | | | placed on the foot that are ignored. Diabetic foot |
| complications and causes of decubitis ulcers each | | | | ulcers are the most common chronic wound problem |
| year in the United States. People who are vulnerable | | | | in the United States and the world. Some 25% of the |
| to developing decubitis ulcers must be frequently | | | | 60 million diabetic patients in the United States develop |
| moved to avoid development of these sores, and | | | | foot ulcers – that’s 15 million people—and |
| adequately cared for in order to avoid serious injury. | | | | approximately 100,000 limb amputations are performed |
| That means keeping the areas where pressure | | | | in diabetic patients each year in the United States |
| occurs (wherever the body rests with the most | | | | alone. It’s an epidemic that has gone virtually |
| pressure in a bed – anything from heels and elbows | | | | unnoticed. It can happen to you.! |
| to buttocks, shoulders, the back of the neck, the hips, | | | | |
| even the side of the foot or leg. If a person can’t | | | | |
| move, they need a way to BE moved. | | | | |
| | | | Venous leg ulcers |
| (Photos in this article are graphic and are accessible | | | | Venous leg ulcers are caused by a failure of valves |
| to all on the internet) | | | | in the veins of the legs, resulting in congestion and |
| Prevention | | | | slowing of blood flow. Rubbing the legs downward |
| If bedridden or immobile with diabetes, circulation | | | | increases the risk of vein failure in diabetics. Such |
| problems, incontinence, spinal problems, bone fractures, | | | | ulcers occur spontaneously or in association with minor |
| or mental disabilities, in addition to intensive care of the | | | | trauma to the leg. Venous leg ulcers can be very |
| skin and keeping areas free from pressure – less | | | | painful and can persist for more than a year. The |
| than two hours in any given position for any part of | | | | older the patient, the more likely that venous leg |
| the body--the patient should also be checked for | | | | ulcers will develop. |
| pressure sores daily, especially every morning. Look | | | | |
| for reddened areas that, when pressed, do not turn | | | | Pressure Ulcers (shown in the first |
| white. Also look for blisters, sores, or craters. In addition, | | | | photo) |
| take the following steps: | | | | Pressure ulcers (decubitis ulcers or bed sores) result |
| Change position at least every two hours to relieve | | | | from pressure on skin, soft tissue, muscle, and bone |
| pressure. | | | | that cuts off the ability of the capillaries to circulate |
| Use items that can help reduce pressure -- pillows, | | | | blood for an extended period of time. The wounds |
| sheepskin, foam padding, and powders from medical | | | | that then develop occur in individuals unable to sense |
| supply stores. | | | | the pressure or who cannot change their body position |
| Eat healthy, well-balanced meals with extra vitamin C, | | | | to relieve the pressure. Pressure ulcers are a |
| if possible. Vitamin C helps build tissues.. | | | | common and expensive problem in acute care, nursing |
| Exercise daily, including range-of-motion exercises for | | | | home, and home care populations. In hospital settings |
| immobile patients. | | | | the incidence of pressure ulcers has reached as high |
| Keep skin clean and dry. Persons with incontinence | | | | as 30% among those at risk. |
| need to take extra steps to limit moisture | | | | |
| THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF THE 100,000 LIMB | | | | |
| AMPUTATIONS THAT OCCUR JUST IN THE US IS | | | | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN INVENTION TO |
| DECUBITIS – the bedsore! | | | | PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF |
| …….. | | | | PRESSURE SORES AND TOP PROMOTE THE |
| Chronic wounds remain inflamed and may take an | | | | HEALING OF CHRONIC WOUNDS? |
| inordinate amunt of time to heal – if at all.. These | | | | Contact Judyth Vary Baker (former cancer |
| wounds are a major health problem in the United | | | | researcher)at The material in this article has been |
| States and throughout the world. | | | | adapted from current online Internet sources. |
| The most common chronic wounds are diabetic foot | | | | |