bed sore care for paralysis patient

paralysis bedsore care

Paralysis is a health condition wherein an individual goes through muscle function loss in their body, and so they fail to feel anything in that affected area. It can influence either one side or both sides of their body. Whilst this can be triggered owing to numerous reasons, the common reason is any kind of injury to the head or spinal cord, multiple sclerosis or stroke. 

what are bedsores?

Bedsores also called pressure sores or pressure ulcers [in certain cases] are a kind of injury that is instigated to the patient’s skin and the underlying tissue in that region. This takes place when there is too much pressure on a specific skin area over a long time period. Most paralysis patients often find it difficult to reposition themselves too often and for this reason bedsores are a chief health concern. 

It occurs when there is contestant pressure on a specific area, on account of which the tissue and the skin in that area endure a breakdown and lead to less blood circulation. When there’s a breakdown in the tissues and the skin, the area becomes red and the individual will develop sores. In grave cases, the ulcers can harm the muscles and at times even the bones present in the area. Bedsores are common in the areas where bones are present, like the tailbone, hips, elbows, heels, ankle and back. Pressure sores treatment should be done at the right time to avoid them from becoming worse. 

how does a paralysis patient suffer through bedsores?

Home care is a great way of caring for a paralysis patient whilst also helping him/her feel comfortable and associated with their family. A professional caretaker can help take care of their bedsores, which again is a significant health issue that must be considered whilst looking after a paralysis patient. Proper and timely care by a trained caregiver and regular monitoring can help prevent bedsores and pressure sores easily. 

In bed patients, the most common pressure sore sites where bedsores may appear are the back, the back or the side of the head, the shoulder or the shoulder blade, hip, tailbone area, lower back, the area behind the knees, the heels, ankles and even the ear area.

Patients who require using a wheelchair often or the people who are mostly in bed are the individuals who have the uppermost risk of getting bedsores. The sensations in their lower body part are often absent or are too minor. Thus, they will not be able to comprehend when the pressure or bedsores first started developing, and it can be quite tricky for family members to become aware of the same.

A professional caregiver is skilled enough to search for bed sores and comprehend the primary signs, even before the development of the sores. This lets them take all preventative measures and share them with the medical examiner at the right instant. 

tips to avoid bedsores

Employing a professional caretaker can help in looking after the paralysis patient and avoiding bedsores. Here are certain ways that an expert caretaker can help take care of your loved one and avoid bed sores. 

• The caretaker will know the way to lift the individual and alter the position once in a few hours. This will help reduce the pressure on that particular area and avoid bedsores. 
• Professional caretakers are taught to look for bed sores and pressure sores even before they come into view. They are taught to monitor the sores and help move the individual in a manner that will help decrease the risk of getting sores. 
• When the individual sits in a wheelchair, the caretaker will help him/her do some presser relief exercises once an hour. This can help redistribute the individual’s body weight and thus reduce the pressure amount exerted on one skin part. 
• The caretaker will teach the individual some exercises and methods to engage in pressure relief that the individual can perform without help even when the caretaker is not around. The technique used in a pressure relief exercise, and the time interval at which it is carried out can make an impact on the general health of the individual. This helps in prevention of pressure sores. 
• Various patients will react in different ways to bedsores. Some might possess sensitive skin and might develop sores easily whilst others might more time to develop them. The caretaker will be capable of comprehending this fact and recommend pressure relief methods and exercises accordingly. Also, he/she will aid the individual to develop skin tolerance to prevent bed sores. 

how caretakers and nurses can help prevent bedsores in paralysed patients?

• The caretaker will frequently assess the skin and seek initial bedsore signs. Professional caretakers are trained to notice the earliest signs, like slight alterations in tenderness, skin colour, unexplained firmness and more. 
• The caretaker will repeatedly check skin areas that are prone to untreated bed sores and keep an eye on them, daily.
• He/she will inspect the areas that come into contact with the braces or the wheelchair. 
• He/she will seek skin near toes and nails to search for ingrown toenails. These areas can often grow sores if the toenails are cut very deep and form a wound.
• The caretaker will help turn the paralysis patient once every 2-3 hours at night. He/she will help ensure that the pads and pillows utilized on the bed are comfy and won’t cause pressure sores.
• The caretaker will aid the individual in sleeping in a good position where his/her head is a bit elevated. Not every patient might need this position, and so the caretaker will act on it only if it was suggested by the medical examiner. 
• Professional caretakers are trained to comprehend the mattress type that might be ideal for the individual and will recommend one for your loved one accordingly. 
• The caretaker will bathe the individual in a manner that regions prone to pressure or bedsores are kept dry and clean. 
• Professional caretakers are taught to help a paralysed patient wear and remove clothes in a manner that it won’t cause any discomfort or pain to them. 

With the availability of physiotherapy experts at home, you no more have to stress yourself regarding visiting a hospital or clinic and worsening the injury. You can schedule an appointment with a physiotherapist at Portea using their website. You will get hold of the finest trained physiotherapists to assist you in getting back to your normal life as quick as possible.