What are the overall effects of immobility?
Overall effects of immobility:
- Musculoskeletal system:
- Muscle atrophy and weakness
- Loss of muscle tone
- Reduced flexibility
- Increased risk of falls
- Increased risk of pressure ulcers
- Osteoporosis (bone loss)
- Joint stiffness
- Pain
- Cardiovascular system:
- Increased risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
- Decreased cardiac output and stroke volume
- Increased heart rate
- Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness or fainting upon standing)
- Respiratory system:
- Decreased lung capacity and vital capacity
- Increased risk of pneumonia
- Difficulty clearing secretions
- Atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue)
- Gastrointestinal system:
- Decreased motility and peristalsis
- Constipation
- Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers
- Malnutrition
- Integumentary system:
- Skin breakdown and pressure ulcers
- Increased risk of infection
- Psychological effects:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Boredom
- Social isolation
- Sleep disturbance
- Metabolic effects:
- Insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes
- Increased risk of obesity
- Lipid profile changes (increased LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, decreased HDL cholesterol)
- Immune system:
- Reduced immune function and increased risk of infection
- Urinary system:
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Neurological effects:
- Cognitive impairment
- Increased risk of falls
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Other:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Decreased quality of life