Chapter 19, Problem 28A

Why are persons who are confined to bed less likely to develop bedsores on their bodies if they use a waterbed rather than an ordinary mattress?

To determine

Reason for bedsores on bodies when person sleep on ordinary mattress.

Answer to Problem 28A

On waterbeds body pressure reduces.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Pressure is force applied per unit area.

The flow of blood to tissues will lessen if constant pressure is applied on any part of body. Blood flow is essential in order to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to tissues.

In case of mattress, contact area of a body with surface of mattress is less in comparison to water bed due to which Constant high pressure acts on body. Constant pressure on a part of body reduces the blood flow due to which oxygen and essential nutrients are not provided to tissues which causes bedsores in body.

In case of waterbed contact area of body with water bad increase because water molecule spread out when body lie on waterbed. Due to large contact area with bed, constant high pressure on body does not acts and due to which blood flow to tissues are not affected and oxygen and other necessary nutrients are regularly provided to all organs of the body. Hence bed sores does not occur when body lie on waterbed.

Conclusion:

On waterbeds body pressure reduces.