Thursday, June 30th, 2011 | Author:

Being bedridden comes with a range of physical and emotional difficulties – not the least being that the patient is more susceptible to developing bedsores.

Bedsores can greatly increase a bedridden patient’s pain and discomfort, as well as being a great source of misery during the time and treatment needed to heal them.

One good thing, however, is that bedsores are preventable. One of the most effective ways to do this is via the use of a low air loss mattress. Here are five great ways a bedridden patient can benefit from using one:

1. Pressure relief

Low air loss mattresses are inflatable mattresses comprised of air-filled cells. They are designed in a way to reduce constant pressure being placed on the body of a patient when lying down on it. Instead, this pressure is well distributed so that bedsores – also known as pressure sores – do not form. This pressure relief is also a benefit for patients with existing sores which need healing.

2. Prevents moisture build-up

Bedsores are more likely to develop on weakened areas of skin. Areas that are constantly exposed to moisture can become easily damaged and, therefore, weakened. Low air loss mattresses provide a constant airstream circulation between the mattress and the patient’s skin. This stream prevents moisture and humidity from building up, e.g., from sweat. It also means the skin’s temperature can be kept at a constant level – again preventing perspiration.

3. Comfort

Since low air loss mattresses are inflatable and made up of air cells, many patients find it to be a far more comfortable alternative to a normal hospital or domestic mattress. A priority for any bedridden patient, especially those with existing sores, is maintaining a feeling of comfort. Low air loss mattresses offer this important element to a patient – almost helping them feel as if they are sleeping on a bed of air.

4. Portable

If a bedridden patient needs to have frequent hospital visits or even desires to stay at a different location on occasions, one benefit of a low air loss mattress is that it is portable. The mattress can be deflated for travel and then re-inflated again when needed. Most will fit easily onto an existing bed frame. Many bedridden patients appreciate this convenience.

If you are considering investing in a good low air loss mattress for a bedridden patient, find a store that is reputable at selling reliable and effective mattress systems. One good option is Volkner.com. Here you’ll find low air loss mattresses which have a unique feature called the Volkner System. This special system is a turning system which means the patient is gently turned every 4, 5 or 6 minutes, as preferred, so that they don’t have to be moved manually to prevent them becoming uncomfortable in bed, and also as an extra measure against the development of bedsores. Visit the website to also view other mattresses such as the alternating pressure mattress and bariatric mattress which are also effective products for the prevention of bedsores and for the comfort of the bedridden patient.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

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