Causes of Bed Sores

Why does a Bed Sore develop?

Continuous pressure on the skin is the most important cause of bedsores. Bedsores usually form where bones cause the greatest pressure on the skin and tissue and squeeze them against the surface of the bed or the wheelchair. The blockage of oxygen, blood and other nutrients because of the constant pressure on tiny blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin may cause bedsores.

Other factors that contribute to the problem include:

• People who cannot move without assistance are more at risk of developing bedsores because they cannot shift their weight periodically.
• Bedsores are more likely to develop in people who have an inadequate daily intake of protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium or zinc.
• Elderly people are more likely to develop bedsores because skin usually becomes thinner with age.

According to a study conducted by NYU School of Medicine researchers, in collaboration with the Wound Healing Program at Columbia University, bedsores are a common and potentially life-threatening problem, typically occurring in people with diabetes or poor circulation, the elderly, and anyone who is bedridden or wheelchair-bound. Approximately 9 percent of all hospitalized patients develop bedsores in the United States alone.