For someone who spends a great deal of their day in bed, there is nothing worse than feeling pressure. A hip starts to hurt. The tailbone feels like it is raw. There are other areas of the skin – from elbows to the back of the head – that just seem to hurt. You cannot get comfortable. And, the longer you lay there, the worse these aches and pains become. This is when the investment in an alternating pressure mattress can help.
Why Laying Down Is Never Comfortable
Those who spend a great deal of time in bed are placing significant pressure, from the weight of their body on the skin. The skin isn’t meant to provide a barrier to the bottom from constant rubbing. The longer it is in contact with other surfaces, especially when there is a downward force on the skin and it is moving, the more likely it is to develop open sores and abrasions. These can quickly become infected. They can leave just about anyone hoping for a solution.
An alternating pressure mattress can offer that solution. As the name implies, the mattress inflates air at various pressures at various areas of the body. It allows for pressure changes that reduce some of that friction and compression on the skin. As a result, there is less pressure on the skin and fewer risks of developing painful open sores.
For those who need to spend time recuperating in bed or those who are unable to leave it, the investment in an alternating pressure mattress can be lifesaving. It can also provide an opportunity to reduce added risks and illnesses such as infections from bed sores. Take a closer look at the options for improving your quality of life and comfort level by investing in these mattresses.