Decubitus Ulcer

Decubitus Ulcer

Introduction

In today's era, where there is increase in inventions and medical facilities, the health illness is also increasing day by day in the societies. Along with other common diseases, the decubitus ulcer is also increasing in the societies. The medical dictionary explains the decubitus ulcer as an unrelieved ulcer that occurs in the pressure areas of skin overlying a bony prominence in incapacitated patients who are limited to their beds or who cannot move their bodies because of a circulatory defect in their bodies. The decubitus ulcer is also known as the pressure ulcer. The decubitus or pressure ulcer is the issue that is present since many years in the societies. Particularly, this disease is increasingly found in the patients that are hospitalized from long period of time. This ulcer is also greatly found in the disabled patients who cannot move themselves.

According to research survey conducted, the existence of decubitus or pressure ulcer among the hospitalized patients has been accounted to be from fourteen to twenty one percent over the last decade (Christian, N. K., 2012). The decubitus ulcer is developed on the scalp, tailbone, back bone, hip bone, heels, or on any other area where the body pressure is applied when the individual is lying down. The decubitus ulcer is also occurred on the areas of the body that are with continuous contact since long time with the external pressure of any object. The decubitus ulcer is different from other type of ulcer that may cause if the person sits in the same position prolonged.

There are various factors that are the cause of decubitus ulcer. Various treatments have been developed in order to prevent the decubitus ulcer among the patients. The following section aims at discussing causes of the decubitus ulcer, the preventive action plans, the literature review as well as patient care guidelines.

Discussion

Root causes of decubitus ulcer

The root causes of the decubitus ulcer can be divided into two groups that is the intrinsic and the extrinsic group. The intrinsic factors involve the lack of proper nourishment, the age factor, the lack of mobility, the hydration and lack of fluid inside the body, the body weight as well the condition of the skin. The extrinsic factors that damages the skin and creates the decubitus ulcer involve the pressure, shearing forces, friction, as well as the moisture within the environment in the person exists.

Pressure

When the pressure is applied to any part the body, it blocks the blood vessels in that particular area. The larger the pressure is applied, the blood vessels are blocked more quickly and the chances of occurrence of decubitus ulcer increases to the great extent.

Friction

The friction is caused in the areas where there are limitations in the motion. The friction in the body is created when the individual shifts its positions or is handled by the care takers. The friction is created between the skin and the surface. The friction creates the damaged skin that is weak to ...