Pressure Ulcer (Pressure Sore)

See all Pictures & Images

Causes

Factors which increase risk for pressure ulcers include:

• Age -- elderly people are at higher risk
• Inability to move certain parts of the body without assistance, such as with spinal or brain injury patients, and patients with neuromuscular diseases
• Malnourishment
• Being bedridden or in a wheelchair
• Having a chronic condition, such as diabetes or artery disease, that prevents areas of the body from receiving proper blood flow and nutrition
• Urinary incontinence or bowel incontinence (moisture next to the skin for long periods of time can cause skin irritation that may lead to skin breakdown)
• Fragile skin
• Mental disability from conditions, such as Alzheimer's (some patients may not be capable of taking the proper steps toward prevention and may not seek appropriate treatment when an ulcer has formed)