Diseases come unexpectedly and greatly complicate human life. But they can be treated not only with the help of medicines. Bed rest is often necessary for the therapy to contribute to the full recovery of the body.
Introduction to limiting motor activity
Each disease is individual and affects the body differently. But there is a generally accepted set of measures and rules that should be followed for various ailments. In particular, this is the need for bed rest. Depending on the diagnosis, the type of motor limitation may differ. The decision on its obligation and duration is made by the doctor. The specialist does this on the basis of medical prescriptions applicable to this ailment. It must be realized that such a measure is as important as taking medications, and ignoring it can lead to a deterioration in the condition and unpredictable consequences. Therefore, bed rest is mandatory for patients to whom it is prescribed.
Expediency of thismeasures
Like everything in medicine, this restriction has a clearly defined meaning and expediency. First of all, the following goals are pursued:
- To a certain extent, limit the activity of the patient's movements (in some cases, practically immobilize him) in order to reduce the need for cells in oxygen, which will reduce the effects of hypoxia and allow adequate adaptation to the conditions that have arisen.
- The horizontal position and the state of rest will inevitably reduce pain, for example after surgery. And this, in turn, will lead to a decrease in the dosage of painkillers.
- Provide the body with proper rest and restore the strength of a person exhausted by the disease.
It is worth noting that the physiology of bed rest can only be discussed when the patient is able to move at least a little. Otherwise, over time, complete immobilization will lead to a number of problems, and the task of the medical staff is to carry out a set of measures to avoid possible complications.
Types of bed rest
What is a mode? It is the fulfillment of rules or well-defined conditions. There are different types of it: drinking regimen, daily routine and others. This article discusses the hospital regimen that allows the patient to recover.
Types of movement restriction include the following items:
- Strict bed rest. This type involves almost complete immobilization and is the most difficult in terms ofview of physiology and psyche. The patient is categorically not allowed to rise, sit down, and sometimes a person is prescribed complete immobilization.
- Regular bed. Limited physical activity within the bed is allowed. Further, when the patient begins to recover, he is allowed to sit down and even do gymnastic exercises under the supervision of a specialist.
- Ward. This type of regimen is called semi-bed. The patient usually goes to the toilet and dining room, partially serves himself, but his main life activity is limited to the hospital ward.
- General. Unlimited movement and walks are allowed. The patient is fully self-serving.
Strict bed rest: duties of medical staff
When appointing this type of regimen, all work on patient care falls on the shoulders of medical personnel. This category of employees is responsible not only for ensuring the physiological needs of a seriously ill patient, but also for supporting his morale. Therefore, sensitivity and mutual understanding between a he alth worker and a sick person is very important. The most time-consuming in terms of care is the strict restriction of activity. In such cases, the duties of the nurse include:
- Feeding. Food should be warm, attractive to look at and served at the same time.
- Feeding the ship (diaper change). This is a special moment. In life, there are intimate situations in which a person tends to retire. Considering that the patient cannot fulfill a physiological need on his own,but is forced to ask strangers for help, this often brings moral suffering to the patient. This must be understood by a he alth worker and provide a person with at least a screen separating him from others.
- Hygiene measures. With strict bed rest, they are especially important. It is necessary to provide the patient with diapers and wet wipes to relieve him of feelings of inferiority. But the treatment of the inguinal folds and genital organs after each act of defecation or urination is mandatory.
- Change bed linen.
- Putting on a gurney.
- Necessary medical manipulations: gas tube placement, enemas, etc.
Fight against bedsores
In addition, if there is prolonged bed rest, the he alth worker should monitor the possible formation of bedsores and avoid it in a timely manner. In order to prevent the appearance of irritations and ulcers on the skin, it should be regularly treated in vulnerable places (shoulder blades, sacrum) and periodically turn the patient over. You also need to make sure that the linen is cotton and without hard seams, and that there are no crumbs left after dinner in the bed. For a helpless person, this is no small thing.
As for the rest of the movement restrictions, partial assistance from a nurse may be needed for bed rest. It can be expressed in the participation of the ward nurse in hygiene measures and feeding the patient. In addition, the he alth worker must ensure peace and quiet atbranch area.
For what diseases is the motor mode limited?
Bed rest of varying degrees can be prescribed for many diseases. First of all, of course, these are injuries, postoperative conditions, concussions and other craniocerebral disorders, infectious diseases, difficult pregnancy, all ailments that are treated in intensive care units and intensive care units. In general, as already mentioned, the bed rest of the patient is important for the recovery process to the same extent as drug therapy.
Resuscitation: features of bed rest
As for the intensive care unit, only strict bed rest is applied here. This is obvious, since there are people in the intensive care and emergency rooms who were practically born twice. Many of them survived clinical death, others are in a coma. Considering that patients are completely immobilized, the care of the medical staff is especially relevant here. The specificity of such departments is that patients in them are without underwear and in general wards that are not separated by gender. As for the first, it is necessary for full access to the body in case of situations when a person needs to carry out life-saving measures. In addition, medical staff should be able to treat skin and wounds around the clock to avoid complications.
Complete rest
Complete immobilization hereis of particular importance, since droppers, catheters, pacemakers and other equipment are constantly connected to patients in extremely serious condition. Naturally, its detachment due to careless movement of the patient can cause bleeding, disruption of tissue integrity, respiratory arrest and lead to death.
Bed rest for concussion
Let's consider several common conditions in which bed rest is vital. These diseases include craniocerebral injuries, in particular concussion of the brain. It can be of different degrees of severity, but in any case, a certain regimen is necessary (strict or semi-bed rest - the doctor decides).
In severe cases, of course, hospitalization is mandatory. But if the condition allows you to stay at home, then you should remember that with such diseases you need to stay mainly in a horizontal position for about a week. In some cases, it is allowed to get out of bed to mend and eat. It is important not to forget that the patient needs complete rest: it is strictly forbidden to watch TV, work at a computer, read books and the like, as this can lead to a significant deterioration in the condition.
Bed rest during pregnancy
There is another period in a person's life where bed rest may be needed - this is a difficult pregnancy. The doctor decides on hospitalization in case of a threatened miscarriage or the possibility ofdisorders in the development of the unborn child. What kind of bed rest will be needed in each case, the gynecologist decides. But there are conditions in which a pregnant woman will have to spend almost the entire period in a horizontal position without the right to get up and sit down. This happens with the threat of placental abruption, uterine hypertonicity or cervical insufficiency. But basically, pregnant women are prescribed a ward regimen with a gradual transition to a general and sparing one (already at home).
It is worth noting that with, for example, extended bed rest, the expectant mother is allowed to sit for no more than a few minutes a day. If a ward regimen (bed) is assigned, then the woman should be in bed for half a day, and the rest of the time she should be in a semi-sitting position, sometimes slowly moving up to 200 meters. In general mode, you can walk at a leisurely pace (up to 1 km) and use the stairs.
How to keep a sick child in bed?
All parents are familiar with the situation when a child has a high temperature, and he tries to run around the apartment. Many are perplexed, not understanding how to explain to a child that an infectious disease requires a regimen (especially bed). But, since compliance with this condition in the acute period is necessary, parents have to go to various tricks to calm the child. First of all, the mother should understand what the non-compliance with the regime is fraught with. This can lead to complications in the work of the heart, urinary system, serious vascular disorders. Therefore, bed rest in childrenis prescribed with an increase in body temperature, of course, only during an exacerbation of the disease. Such a measure will save the child's energy to fight the disease, help avoid complications and speed up recovery.
There are diseases in which bed rest is indispensable, such as injuries, when strict fixation of the damaged area is necessary. In such cases, so that the forced stay without movement does not lead to whims, and in older children to depressive states, it is necessary to help the child successfully survive this period. Provide your child with toys, board games, interesting books, you can allow a short TV viewing. It will not be out of place to invite relatives or friends whom the child will be glad to see infrequently. Be sure to help the patient change position to avoid muscle numbness and numbness of the limbs. If prolonged bed rest is provided, then it is recommended to purchase special devices used to avoid bedsores. In the case of infectious diseases, you can sometimes take a sitting position, and after an acute period, begin to gradually activate the motor mode.
Exercising in bed
It is important to remember that exercise is recommended even when strict bed rest is prescribed. They involve passive movements of the limbs and active movements in the area of small joints. Breathing exercises and massage paid off well.
With other types of motorrestrictions, the following exercises are recommended:
- In the initial stages of bed rest, it is important to adapt the patient to later life, so it is necessary to pay attention to the resumption of self-care skills. First of all, this is feeding, which the medical staff gradually begins to produce, subject to the patient's sitting position. These measures are designed to return the patient to a full life. In addition, daily exercises are gradually connected: active movements of the limbs at an average pace lasting no more than 15 minutes.
- When appointing a ward regime, slow walking is allowed for a distance of about two hundred meters, sparing exercises at an average pace in the prone and sitting position.
- In the case of the general regimen, exercises performed at medium intensity for half an hour are necessary. They are held mainly while standing, gradually becoming more difficult, and throwing a light ball is also allowed. Often groups of such patients are engaged with a specialist in the exercise therapy room.
Complications of prolonged bed rest
Prolonged bed rest after various serious illnesses is not uncommon. But we must understand that forced long-term immobilization has extremely negative consequences for the human body. Physical inactivity causes metabolic deterioration, vascular changes, congestion in the respiratory system, skin disorders, dysfunction of the urinary system (sometimes infection) and psychological problems. In addition, it has been proven that a person without movement loses up to 3% of muscle mass every day, which canlead to complete muscle atrophy and weight loss. That is why, after a long coma, people learn to walk again. A conscious bedridden patient should at least manipulate the comb and brush their teeth on their own - this will help avoid the severe consequences of physical inactivity.
It must be remembered that any restriction of the motor regime implies feasible activity. If it is observed, the recovery of a person will be significantly accelerated.
