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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBedsores, more accurately called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop when sustained pressure cuts off circulation to vulnerable parts of your body, especially the skin on your buttocks, hips and heels. Without adequate blood flow, the affected tissue dies.
Although people living with paralysis are especially at risk, anyone who is bedridden, uses a wheelchair or is unable to change positions without help can develop bedsores.
Bedsores can develop quickly, progress rapidly and are often difficult to heal. Yet health experts say many of these wounds don't have to occur. Key preventive measures can maintain the skin's integrity and encourage healing of bedsores.
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- Bluestein D. Pressure ulcers: Prevention, evaluation, and management. American Family Physician. 2008;78:1186.
- Abrams GM. Chronic complications of spinal cord injury. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Garcia AD. Assessment and management of chronic pressure ulcers in the elderly. The Medical Clinics of North America. 2006;90:928.
- Tleyjeh I. Infectious complications of pressure ulcers. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Berlowitz D. Treatment of pressure ulcers. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Berlowitz D. Prevention of pressure ulcers. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Reddy M. Treatment of pressure ulcers: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:2647.
- Phillips TJ, et al. Decubitus (pressure) ulcers. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2980481. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Wolff K, et al. Skin signs of vascular insufficiency. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=753150. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Johnston C, et al. Geriatric disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=348. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Pressure ulcer stages revised by NPUAP. National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. http://www.npuap.org/pr2.htm. Accessed Feb. 16, 2009.
