Locked-in Syndrome

Bed

Since I am immobile, I am prone to getting bedsores. Very simply, pressure ulcers (sometimes referred to as "bedsores") are caused by pressure. They develop when our body's soft tissue is compressed, over time, between a bony part of our body (such as our ankles, the base of our spine, buttocks, elbows, heels, hips, shoulder blades, etc.), and an external surface (such as a mattress or the seat of our chair, sheets or clothing rubbing against our skin, moisture from perspiration or our own bodily fluids, pressure from our own weight, etc). With prolonged pressure to a certain area, the blood supply to our cells (interchanging our blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and tissue cells) is disrupted. This prolonged lack of blood supply and oxygen to our tissues may result in a pressure ulcer. People at high risk for the development of pressure ulcers are those people who are unable to move freely. Spinal cord injury patients, stroke victims, and severe or long-lasting injuries may present certain challenges. Factors that can contribute to the development of pressure ulcers include, anaemia (a deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood), poor circulation, diabetes, edema (an accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces), incontinence, malnutrition, mental impairment, and obesity, to name a few.

Because of this I was placed from day one on a "Pressure Relieving Mattress", which consists of a mattress overlay divided into sections that are inflated alternatively by a small air compressor in a control box (photo on left). This prevents sores and can actually heal existing sores although I never had a sore. I have a "Viaclin" mattress made by "Arjo" ( http://www.arjo.com/int/default.asp ) although there are several manufacturers of similar products. By constantly changing the place where the body rests, sores are prevented.

These sores can be cured but sometimes surgery is required and they are so dangerous that they can even lead to death, so it is advisable to prevent them altogether.