1. Skin and pressure injuries

Immobility and spending excessive time in the same position can increase the risk of skin breakdown and pressure injuries.

What to do to prevent

Frequent repositioning for bed bound patients and increasing physical activities may help to reduce risks of skin complications during your inpatient stay.

2. Constipation

Immobility increases your intestinal transit time and may lead to constipation. Constipation may result in urinary and bowel retention and increase the risk of urinary tract infection.

What to do to prevent

Encourage consumption of water and high-fibre foods to aid bowel movement.

3.Muscle loss

Another consequence of prolonged bed rest is muscle wasting, which also refers to the loss of muscle mass. Research has shown that while the young adults may lose about 1% of muscle mass per day, older adults may lose up to 5% of muscle mass for each day that these muscles are not being used.

As a result, one may even end up losing muscle strength of up to 40% within the first week of immobility.

In addition, prolonged bed rest can also cause the collagen fibres to shorten and become more tightly packed within a day. In two to three weeks’ time, an individual may experience joint tightness and subsequently joint stiffness within two to three months of immobility.

This is definitely a concern, as the loss of muscle strength and the muscle tightness have been linked to a reduction in functional movement, one of the factors resulting in falls.

What to do to prevent

Conversely, regular movement reduces muscle wasting and helps to loosen collagen fibers in the joints, increasing functional movement. This reduces the harmful effects of bed rest.

4. Weakens the heart and lungs

Bed rest and immobility can have profound effects on the heart and lung system.

Hospitalisation and immobility is a significant risk factor for developing venous thromboembolism (i.e. blood clot formation in the blood vessels of the legs and lungs). This is a potentially life threatening condition.

The use of mechanical calf pumps and medications may help to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism from occurring. Increasing physical activities with bed exercises and appropriate mobilisation can further reduce the risk.

Lying down for prolonged periods may affect air flow in the lungs and increase the risk of chest infections or atelectasis (i.e. mild lung collapse).

Excessive bed rest can affect the way your body uses oxygen resulting in a decrease in physical performance and your ability to exercise.

Additionally, prolonged bed rest can cause an exaggeration in the drop in blood pressure when one assumes an upright position resulting in giddiness and falls.

What to do to prevent

Insert text here

5. Affects mental health

Patients who are confined to bed in hospitals often experience a reduction in environmental and psychosocial stimuli. This may result in several adverse effects such as depressed mood, anxiety, reduced cognitive skills and more commonly, the loss of appetite. Prolonged bed rest is also associated with restlessness, aggression and insomnia.

These adverse effects collectively result in reduced ability to do self-care, to walk, to engage in leisure activities and to work. It will also increase your hospital length of stay. Therefore, please speak to your care provider for further advice on staying active whilst being put on bed rest.

What to do to prevent

Insert text here

Ref: J22