How Do Pressure Relieving Mattresses Work?

A long time ago it was realized that patients that where confined to bed due to illness had a problem, bed sores

. These are lesions that are caused by the constant friction and pressure of being prone in bed for a prolonged period of time. The answer for many years was to manage the patients, to lift them and turn them at intervals to relieve the constant pressure that lead to this potentially deadly condition. But that was not ideal patient care and was not always practical or safe. This made finding a more sophisticated solution a major goal of hospitals everywhere. Thus was born the Pressure Relieving Mattress. There are two primary types of Pressure Relieving Mattress, the Static and Dynamic. In general terms they are distinguished by the severity of the patients condition and the need to maintain comfort and safety.

Modern Mattresses

The Static Pressure Relieving Mattress works by using modern materials developed over the course of years of research that are designed to reduce the effect of long-term bed rest inherent in the care of the very ill or elderly. These types of mattresses are most applicable in circumstances where patients are in bed for the greater majority of the day but do move or can be moved periodically. This allows them to be as comfortable as possible and minimizes the need to turn or move them to avoid the development of ulcers. The materials that are used are advanced foam materials that allow pressure mitigation. They do so by adjusting to the specific shape and weight of a patients own body to eliminate the pressure that develops on certain points of the back and buttocks. These are the zones that are most vulnerable.

Dynamic pressure Relieving Mattresses

The Dynamic Pressure Relieving Mattress is the next level of critical care tools. These systems use dynamic, controlled air pressure cells to constantly adjust the mattress in response to the patients needs to insure that turning and adjusting are not needed on a daily basis. The cells are vertical columns that form the body of the mattress and are pressurized with air individually. This allows the pressure to be adjusted in each cell to create the conditions necessary to insure the health and comfort of the severely bed-ridden. The most effective method is to adjust the pressure in parallel rows of cells by deflating one row and inflating another gently. This relieves the pressure being felt in each zone of the patients body in turn, continuously. This results in an extraordinarily high degree of relief for the patient with minimal intervention.

With modern technology the 21st century is a time when these miracles are available to all. There are now versions of this advanced medical system available for home use allowing both comfort and dignity for those who must be bed-ridden. There is also the relief that it represents for those who are tasked with caring for the bed-ridden. The process of turning and shifting is made all the more unpleasant for the care-giver by the discomfort of the patient. With a Pressure Relieving Mattress the care givers time is better spent and the patient is happier, promoting better health.

by: katrina wagner

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