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Bedsores are known by several names: bedsores, pressure sores, and pressure ulcers are three of the most common terms. Properly known as decubitus ulcers, bedsores are wounds or lesions caused by a lack of proper circulation to one or several places on the body due to continual, unrelieved pressure. The most common places on the body for the development of bedsores include the tailbone, hips, knees, along the spine, or at the back of the head. Bedsores develop over an extended period of time, and are almost always a preventable injury. Unfortunately, the amount of effort and attentiveness required to prevent bedsores is often lacking in the settings where serious bedsores are most prevalent - understaffed long-term care facilities and hospitals. The result is that bedsores often worsen, causing serious conditions that if left untreated, can prove fatal.

Bedsores are most commonly caused by continual pressure, but they may also be caused by shear or friction in combination with pressure. Shear can occur if skin and tissue are pulled in opposite directions, such as when a person slides down in a chair or bed in an attempt to adjust how they are sitting or laying. Repeatedly shearing the same areas of the body will cause a breakdown of tissue and the development of a bedsore. On areas such as the heels, friction between the sheets and the skin can cause the body to break down as well, which also leads to pressure sores.

Fortunately there are treatments available that can help to lessen the deterioration caused by bedsores and help to alleviate the discomfort that bedsores can cause. However, these treatments must be applied consistently, and further measures must be taken to ensure that bedsores do not continue to reoccur. Even if successfully treated, bedsores can develop again if the original conditions that led to the bedsore continue or resume after the successful treatment. Recurrent bedsores pose another set of problems, including an increased risk for severe or even life-threatening complications.

Oftentimes, elderly residents in nursing homes and long term care facilities will develop bedsores as a result of prolonged immobility. This can happen if the individual is bedridden or confined to a wheelchair for long periods of time, however, it only takes a few hours of remaining in the same position for a bedsore to begin to develop. Nursing home staff members often do not provide adequate preventative care with regards to bedsores, and as such, the danger of developing bedsores and complications from bedsores is heightened for these individuals.

This section discusses the types of bedsores and the stages of bedsore development. Additionally, this section discusses some of the more common complications that can arise from the development of bedsores or recurring bedsore occurrences. Most bedsore development follows the same pattern when it comes to progression and worsening of the condition, however, you may find that your particular situation differs from the descriptions posted here. While no website can take the place of a full medical evaluation by a qualified professional, being aware of the early stages of bedsores and what you can expect if the signs progress can help you to determine what's best for you or your loved one in your own circumstances.