National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Pressure Sores is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Pressure Sores
Also called: Bed sores, Decubitus ulcers, Pressure ulcers
Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ankles, back, elbows, heels and hips. You are at risk if you are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or are unable to change your position. Pressure sores can cause serious infections, some of which are life-threatening. They can be a problem for people in nursing homes.
You can prevent the sores by
- Keeping skin clean and dry
- Changing position every two hours
- Using pillows and products that relieve pressure
Pressure sores have a variety of treatments. Advanced sores are slow to heal, so early treatment is best.
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Start Here
- Pressure Sores(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Overviews
- Bedsores (Pressure Sores)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Pressure Sores(Merck & Co., Inc.)
- Preventing and Caring for Pressure Ulcers (Pressure Sores, Bedsores)(Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care) - PDF
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Latest News
- Bowel Incontinence and Other Clinical Factors Predict the Development of Pressure Ulcers(08/01/2012, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
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Treatment
- Skin (Pressure) Sores(American Cancer Society)
- Taking Care of Pressure Sores(University of Washington, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine)
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Rehabilitation/Recovery
- Physical Therapist's Guide to Pressure Ulcer ("Bed Sore")(American Physical Therapy Association)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)(Logical Images)
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Tutorials
- Sores(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Sores -- Treatment(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Videos
- Pressure Ulcers(Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care)
- Preventing Pressure Sores(Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pressure Ulcer(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pressure Ulcer
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Find a Nurse in Your Area(Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society)
- Find a Specialist(American Academy of Wound Management)
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Organizations
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Statistics
- Pressure Ulcers Among Nursing Home Residents: United States, 2004(National Center for Health Statistics)
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Patient Handouts
- Pressure ulcer
- Also available in Spanish
- Preventing pressure ulcers
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Pressure Sores - Multiple Languages
