Bedridden
{{Short description|Descriptor for the inability to sit or stand upright}}
File:Charles VI bedridden and his physician.jpg bedridden and his physician]]
Being bedridden is a form of immobility that can present as the inability to move or even sit upright.{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedridden|title=Definition of BEDRIDDEN|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-14}} It differs from bed-rest, a form of non-invasive treatment that is usually part of recovery or the limitation of activities. Some of the more serious consequences of being bedridden is the high risk of developing thrombosis and muscle wasting (atrophy).
Etymology
The word "bedridden" is derived from the Middle English term bedrid, the past tense form of riding a bed, which dates back to the 14th century.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dictionary.com/browse/bedridden|title=The definition of bedridden|website=Dictionary.com|access-date=2018-02-14}}
Bed rest
{{Main|Bed rest}}
This is a voluntary medical treatment still used today to help cure illness.{{Cite book|title=Dictionary of Medical Terms|last=Collin|publisher=A&C Black|year=2008|via=Credo Reference}} Current views regarding this treatment are that there are no benefits for most conditions studied.{{cite journal|last1=Allen|first1=C|last2=Glasziou|first2=P|last3=Del Mar|first3=C|title=Bed rest: a potentially harmful treatment needing more careful evaluation.|journal=Lancet|date=9 October 1999|volume=354|issue=9186|pages=1229–33|pmid=10520630|doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(98)10063-6|s2cid=12196831}} Though bedrest may still be prescribed for pregnant women, it is now considered dangerous.[http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/bed-rest-during-pregnancy Bed Rest During Pregnancy][http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/05/unethical-bed-rest-for-pregnant-women Is It 'Unethical' To Prescribe Bed Rest For Pregnant Women? | CommonHealth]{{Cite web |url=http://arms.evidence.nhs.uk/resources/qipp/664578/attachment |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221506/http://arms.evidence.nhs.uk/resources/qipp/664578/attachment |archive-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=dead}} Those who are bedridden can develop complications related to feeding.
Complications
Being bedridden leads to many complications such as loss of muscle strength and endurance. Contractures, osteoporosis from disuse and the degeneration of joints can occur. Being confined to bed can add to the likelihood of developing an increased heart rate, decreased cardiac output, hypertension, and thromboembolism.{{Cite journal|last1=Maclin|first1=V. M.|last2=Radwanska|first2=E.|last3=Binor|first3=Z.|last4=Dmowski|first4=W. P.|date=August 1990|title=Progesterone:estradiol ratios at implantation in ongoing pregnancies, abortions, and nonconception cycles resulting from ovulation induction|journal=Fertility and Sterility|volume=54|issue=2|pages=238–244|doi=10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53696-6 |issn=0015-0282|pmid=2379624|doi-access=}} People with disabilities who are bedridden are at risk for developing pressure sores.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/relatedconditions.html|title=Related Conditions {{!}} Disability and Health {{!}} NCBDDD {{!}} CDC|date=2018-02-06|work=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en-us}}{{PD-notice}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bed-sores/symptoms-causes/syc-20355893|title=Bedsores (pressure ulcers) - Symptoms and causes|work=Mayo Clinic|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en}} Those who are bedridden are at risk in a house fire due to their lack of mobility.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37674354/police-hawaii-recruiter-sexually-assaulted-boy-multiple-times-while-he-was-bedridden|title=Police: Woman who recruited exchange students to Hawaii raped one while he was bedridden|last=Kawano|first=Lynn|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en}} Showering can become impossible.{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/mexican-man--once-the-world-s-fattest--dreams-of-walking-again-9983670|title=Mexican man, once the world's fattest, dreams of walking again|work=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031535/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/mexican-man--once-the-world-s-fattest--dreams-of-walking-again-9983670|url-status=dead}} Bedsores develop if a person spends most or all of the day in bed without changing position{{Cite web|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003976.htm|title=Skin care and incontinence: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia|website=medlineplus.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12}}{{PD-notice}} Being confined to bed may result in a person remaining passive and withdrawn. The ability to transfer to a chair and the negative attitudes of caregivers is associated with continued confinement to bed and reduction of such requests.{{Cite journal|last=Forbes|first=Dorothy A.|date=2009-04-01|title=Being bedridden was a slow process influenced by interactions with the environment, nurses, and social tiesCommentary|url=http://ebn.bmj.com/content/12/2/64.1|journal=Evidence-Based Nursing|language=en|volume=12|issue=2|pages=64|doi=10.1136/ebn.12.2.64|issn=1367-6539|pmid=19321841|s2cid=35150903 |url-access=subscription}} Those who are confined to bed have risks related to falls. Falling from a bed can result in injury.
Prevention
One recommendation for preventing the complications of being bedridden is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains enough calories and protein needed for optimum health. If someone is confined to a bed, changing position at least every two hours can help prevent complications in addition to changing sheeting and bedclothes immediately if they are soiled, and using items that can help reduce pressure, such as pillows or foam padding.
Studies
One Indian study of care given to bedridden individuals at home found that family members made up 82% of caregivers. A high rate of medical complications was reported, including pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.{{cite journal|title=Profile of home-based caregivers of bedridden patients in North India|author=Puneet Bains|author2=Amarjeet Singh Minhas|journal=Indian Journal of Community Medicine|date=22 August 2011| volume=36 | issue=2 | pages=114–119 | doi=10.4103/0970-0218.84129 | pmid=21976795 | pmc=3180935 | doi-access=free }}