Pressure Sores - Prevention of Pressure Sores/Ulcers
As part of your treatment plan, your care team will
discuss with you the best way to prevent pressure ulcers. This will be based on
your individual circumstances.
However, you may find that the general advice
outlined below is helpful.
Changing position
Making regular and frequent changes to your
position is one of the most effective ways of preventing pressure ulcers. If a
pressure ulcer has already developed, regularly changing position will help to
avoid putting further pressure on it, and give the wound the best chance of
healing.
As a general rule, wheelchair users will need to
change their position at least once every 15 to 30 minutes. People who are
confined to bed will need to change their position at least once every two
hours.
Once you have developed a pressure ulcer, it's
important that you minimise or avoid putting any further pressure on it to give
the wound the best chance of healing.
If you are unable to change position yourself, a
carer or relative will need to assist you. For more information and advice
about positional changes.
Nutrition
Eating a healthy, balanced diet that contains an
adequate amount of protein and a good variety of vitamins and minerals can help
prevent skin damage and speed up the healing process. You may be referred to a
dietitian so that a dietary plan can be drawn up for you.
If you currently have a reduced appetite due to a
pre-existing health condition, the following advice may be useful:
Try eating smaller meals throughout the day, rather
than two or three larger meals. Set a timetable for when you should eat, rather
than waiting until you feel hungry. This should ensure that you receive the
necessary nutrition.
Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids just before
you are about to eat, as this will make you feel fuller than you actually are.
If you find swallowing difficult, try drinking
specially made nutritional drinks or puréed foods and soups.
If you are a vegetarian, it's important to eat
high-protein alternatives to meat. Cheese, yoghurt, peanut butter, custard,
beans and nuts are all good sources of protein.
Checking your skin
If you have known risk factors for pressure ulcers,
it's important that you check your skin on a daily basis for any signs of
pressure ulcers, such as discoloured areas of skin. This is particularly
important if you have an underlying condition, such as nerve damage or
diabetes, which may dampen or numb feelings of pain in certain parts of your
body.
You can use a mirror to check the parts of your
body that are difficult to see, such as your bottom and the heels of your feet.
If you notice any damage, report it to your care team. If you are at home,
contact your GP or community nurse. If you are in hospital or a nursing home,
inform one of your nurses or carers.
Quit smoking
If you are a smoker, giving up is one of the most
effective ways of preventing pressure ulcers. Smoking reduces the levels of
oxygen in your blood. It also weakens your immune system, which increases your
risk of developing pressure ulcers.
No comments:
Post a Comment