Outsmart Pressure Sores: A Comprehensive Guide
Pressure Sores and Pressure Relief Mattresses: What You Need to Know
Pressure sores (also called pressure ulcers or bedsores) develop when prolonged pressure restricts blood flow to the skin. They are painful, difficult to treat, and most common in people with limited mobility, including the elderly, bariatric, and bedridden individuals.
The good news? With the right prevention strategies and a suitable pressure-relieving mattress, most pressure ulcers can be prevented.
Understanding Pressure Sores
1. Elderly Individuals:
The elderly are at an increased risk of developing pressure sores due to various factors associated with ageing:
- Thinner, Less Elastic Skin: Ageing skin becomes thinner and less elastic, making it more susceptible to damage and slower to heal.
- Reduced Mobility: Many elderly individuals face mobility challenges or spend long hours in a seated or lying position due to age-related conditions or frailty. This immobility increases pressure on vulnerable areas.
- Chronic Health Issues: Elderly individuals are more susceptible to pressure sores due to several factors, including underlying health conditions. Diabetes and circulation problems are particularly common among the elderly and can significantly compromise skin health and tissue viability.
2. Bariatric Individuals:
People with obesity or bariatric conditions face unique challenges when it comes to pressure sores:
- Excessive Pressure: Excess body weight places increased pressure on specific areas of the body, making these areas more prone to Pressure Sores.
- Reduced Mobility: Obesity can exacerbate mobility issues, leading to prolonged periods of immobility.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Bariatric individuals often have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular issues that can impair blood flow and reduce the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to skin tissues.
3. People Spending Extended Time Lying Down:
Individuals who are bedridden or spend extended periods lying down are at the highest risk of developing pressure sores:
- Immobility: Being bedridden or sedentary for extended periods means constant pressure on specific body areas, particularly bony protuberances like the heels, hips, and tailbone.
- Frictional and Shear Forces: The frictional forces can rub skin against bedding, causing irritation and breakdown, while shear forces can stretch and tear skin as the body changes position.
- Dependency on Caregivers: Bedridden individuals often depend on caregivers to reposition them regularly. Failure to do so can lead to pressure sores developing quickly.
Explore the importance of seating and lumbar support in pressure ulcer prevention, and discover our extensive collection of pressure relief mattresses.
Our collection includes a range of options, including the ROHO and Posture-Mate® Seat and Back Cushioning system for Standard Wheelchairs.
Why Preventing Pressure Sores Matters
Preventing pressure sores is far easier than treating them once they develop. Left unmanaged, they can lead to infection, prolonged hospital stays, and reduced quality of life.
Effective prevention focuses on:
- Reducing prolonged pressure
- Improving circulation
- Minimising friction and shear
- Supporting comfort and skin health
This is where pressure relief mattresses play a critical role.
Types of Pressure Relief Mattresses
There are many types of mattresses designed to help with pressure relief. Foam mattresses are a popular choice due to their affordability, comfort and ability to conform to the body's shape, providing even support and pressure distribution.
Air Mattresses
Air mattresses use adjustable air chambers to distribute pressure evenly. These mattresses are customizable, allowing users to adjust the firmness or softness to their preference.
- Pressure Redistribution: The ability to change the firmness settings can help redistribute pressure and prevent the formation of pressure sores in specific areas.
- Portability: Many air mattresses are portable and suitable for use in both home and healthcare settings.
- Noise: Some users may find that air mattresses produce a slight noise when the air chambers are adjusted, which could be a consideration for light sleepers.
Note additional styles in this category:
- Static Air Mattresses: Static air mattresses contain pockets of air that do not change pressure. They offer consistent support but may not be as effective in redistributing pressure as dynamic systems.
- Low Air Loss Mattresses: Low air loss mattresses have a constant flow of air through the mattress surface, which helps keep the skin dry and reduces moisture-related skin issues.
Gel Mattresses
Gel mattresses offer superior pressure relief by conforming to the body's shape and distributing pressure evenly. These mattresses contain gel-infused foam or gel-filled layers that enhance comfort and support.
Hybrid Air and Foam Mattresses
Hybrid air and foam mattresses are gaining popularity due to their unique combination of foam comfort layers and adjustable air chambers, combining the benefits of both technologies.
Customized Comfort:
Hybrid air and foam mattresses offer the best of both worlds by combining the plush comfort of foam with the adjustability of air chambers. This customization allows you to tailor your sleeping surface to your precise preferences through the adjustable air chambers, which can be inflated or deflated to achieve the desired level of firmness or softness.
Targeted Pressure Relief:
One of the primary reasons people invest in quality mattresses is to address pressure relief, especially if they are at risk of developing pressure sores or ulcers. Hybrid air and foam mattresses excel in this area for the following reasons:
- Foam Layer: The foam top layer in hybrid mattresses is specifically designed to distribute pressure evenly across your body. This minimizes the risk of pressure points forming, which is crucial for preventing pressure sores and ulcers.
- Adjustable Air Chambers: The adjustable air chambers add another layer of pressure relief, in which by customizing the firmness or softness of the mattress, you can ensure that pressure is evenly distributed, reducing the likelihood of developing pressure-related skin issues.
Versatility:
Hybrid air and foam mattresses are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for a wide range of users, including those with specific medical conditions or mobility challenges.
Price Range:
Hybrid air and foam mattresses come in various price ranges, making them accessible to a wide range of budgets. While high-end models offer advanced features and luxury materials and excellent comfort, more affordable options provide comfort and pressure relief, and support to help you achieve a restful and pain-free night's sleep without breaking the bank.
Alternating Pressure Mattresses
Alternating Pressure Mattresses provide an effective solution for avoiding bed sores and ulcers. These mattresses employ a unique technology which uses air cells, alternating in inflation and deflation to periodically shift pressure away from vulnerable areas.
Lateral Rotation Mattresses
Lateral rotation mattresses gently turn the patient from side to side at set intervals, helping reduce prolonged pressure, improve circulation, and support lung function. By promoting regular movement, they assist with pressure sore prevention, reduce the need for manual repositioning, and can help lower caregiver strain.
Advanced Option: Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation Mattress
For individuals at high risk of pressure injuries or with existing wounds, advanced technology may be required.
The Dolphin Pressure Mattress uses Fluid Immersion Simulation (FIS) technology to mimic the effects of floating in water. Instead of forcing the body to conform to the mattress, the surface automatically adapts to the user.
Key Benefits of Dolphin FIS Technology
- Near elimination of pressure points
- Improved blood flow and tissue perfusion
- Reduced friction and shear
- Automatic adjustment as the user moves
- Suitable for prevention and treatment of pressure injuries up to Stage 4
This makes the Dolphin mattress particularly suitable when repositioning is difficult or uncomfortable.
👉 View the Dolphin Care Fluid Immersion Simulation Collection
https://firstclassmobility.com/collections/dolphin-fluid-immersion-simulation
Choosing the Right Pressure Relief Mattress
When selecting a mattress, consider:
- User weight and mobility
- Time spent in bed
- Existing skin or wound concerns
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance
- Advice from healthcare professionals
The right mattress can significantly improve comfort, safety, and long-term health outcomes.
Trusted Mattress Brands in Healthcare
In hospitals, care homes, and home-care settings, trusted pressure relief mattress brands include Wellell® (formerly Apex), known globally for medical air mattresses and alternating pressure systems; Obbomed®, recognised for practical, reliable pressure relief solutions used in clinical and home environments; ROHO® for advanced air-cell pressure redistribution; and Joerns Dolphin®, which offers high-level fluid immersion therapy for complex wound care.
We invite you to read our guide on Alternating Pressure Mattress vs. Low Air Loss and view our collection of hospital bed mattresses.