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Air Mattress to Prevent Bedsores

Sometimes, people find themselves in a position where they are unable to get out of bed for long periods of time. One of the most common problems with this is the occurrence of bedsores. These difficult sores can be treated by a new variety of air mattresses that can prevent these sores from occurring in the first place.

  1. What Are Bed Sores?

    • Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are lesions in the skin caused by too much pressure in one area of the body, heat, age, medication and too much friction. These pressure ulcers are called bedsores, because they are most common in people who are unable to move and must lie in bed. Long-term patients in hospitals, the elderly in nursing homes, people in wheelchairs, and other people unable to move properly are most commonly affected by these ulcers. They are extremely painful and can become infected, which can lead to health complications and death. Bedsores come in different extremes. Stage I is the beginning of bedsores and Stage II is the earliest spreading of the wound. Stages III and IV are the more extreme and open stages. Different air mattresses treat these stages in different ways.

    Stages I -- II

    • These air mattresses are designed to prevent bedsores from beginning. They are around 5 to 8 inches thick and are generally placed directly on top of other hospital mattresses. They use air to relieve the pressure on the patient. This means that the patient's position has to be changed less frequently, as the pressure will be less extreme. These mattresses are generally the cheapest kind of air mattresses and are most useful in preventing bedsores from starting and actually healing the early stages of bedsore growth. These are available online at sites like Progressive Medical Inc, and U Can Health.

    Stages I -- IV

    • These mattresses deal with the whole range of bedsore growth, from prevention to stage IV. They work in the same way as the Stages I-II mattress, by using air to lessen the pressure of the bed on the patient. More air is used in the later stages to lessen the pressure further. The patient will still have to be moved, as with the Stages I-II mattress, but much less frequently. These mattresses offer a wider variety of options for the patient and practitioner. They are also more expensive than the Stages I-II mattress. They are a necessity, however, in healing patients with bedsores that have already moved beyond the first stages.

    Stage IV Matresses

    • Stage IV mattresses are the most powerful and effective air mattresses available. These heal stage IV and lower bed wounds much quicker. They work in the same way but use more air to relieve the most pressure. They are also the most expensive. Stage IV mattresses are powerful, but because of their high price, it may be impossible to have a large number of these mattresses available for use. However, they are so powerful that even a few of them would benefit any treatment of bedsores greatly.

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