What effects can bedrest have on the abdominal system? You will find out as you read along, my friends.
Here’s the thing, though:
Bedrest comes with many benefits back then. As years go by, however, it was shown that it has actually negative effects.
Yes, when you hear this word, it feels like you will be following a healing process. Don’t be deceived, my friends.
Remember that your body needs to move. Otherwise, you will be suffering from different issues once you become immobile.
And it will surely have detrimental effect on your health.
So, if you don’t want that to happen, you should know the effects of bedrest on your abdominal system.
The Abdominal System
Before you should understand the effects of bedrest on your abdomen, let’s understand first its composition.
This system comprised of your digestive organs such as the intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Just like any parts of your body, the abdominal system is crucial as it is where many vital blood vessels pass through.
The Effects Bed Rest Have On The Abdominal System
What effects can bedrest have on the abdominal system?
Here are some of them:
#1. Loss of appetite
A study used to show the link between prolonged bedrest and loss of appetite.
If you compare men with sedentary lifestyles and men with more active lifestyles, the food intake of the former is much lower compared to the latter.
Further studies, however, show that during bedrest, there’s a slight change in hunger’s sensation.
With that, it’s still not clear how immobility and appetite relates.
#2. Gastric reflux
Do you know that it’s harder to swallow if you’re in a recumbent position?
Also, it will be more difficult and longer for the food to pass through your stomach.
A study has shown that the passing of food is much slower by 66 percent compared to when a person is positioning upright.
Why do you think it happens?
It’s because secretions can gather around the sphincter which can cause irritation.
For this reason, patients who are required to bedrest will most likely suffer from gastric reflux, and this disease may include heartburn and regurgitation.
What’s more is that these patients are also at a higher risk of suffering from gastric ulceration.
If you prop the patient up using a pillow after eating, you can alleviate GORD.
In this way, you can also help lessen the risk of acid reflux; doing so can encourage juices to gather in your lower stomach.
#3. Constipation
It was observed that patients who bedrest usually have reduced motility in their gut.
It’s because they’re required to have small food intake.
And with this, their peristaltic rate is usually slower.
When the transit time is increased, it slows down the movement of your faeces from the color to the rectum.
And this situation increases the reabsorption of water, leading to the hardening of the stools.
However, if you’re in an upright position, you will most likely have a normal peristaltic motility,
Due to gravity, stools would give pressure on the anal’s sphincter, urging you to defecate.
In a supine position, you won’t expect this to happen. That means that there’s no urge for you to defecate as it is reduced.
Due to this, it’s more likely for people who bedrest to suffer from constipation compared to those who are more active.
And it is detrimental especially for patients having opiod-based medication.
It’s because these drugs can significantly reduce got motility.
Once the patient is suffering from chronic constipation, the formation of faecal material may put pressure on the wall of your colon, leading to the risk of diverticulitis.
#4. Reduced food intake
Yes, I have mentioned above that bedrest can reduce appetite. And as a result, the patient will less likely to eat food.
This situation can lead to the following:
- Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals; and
- Minimized calorific intake.
In order for the patient to heal and recover quickly, it’s required to give him enough calories and nutrients (whether be it macro or micro).
If the patient is required to bedrest, it will most likely delay his recovery.
That’s why patients need to be given appropriate nutrition.
And proper nutrition can only be taken if the patient has eaten well.
#5. Other problems
Others reported that bedrest makes it hard for patients to urinate.
Yes, it’s hard for patients to empty the bladder though fluids retain.
If this happens, it leads to infection.
Much more, urinary calcium is excreted in greater amounts, raising the risk for kidney and bladder stones.
It’s also common for patients to experience incontinence: confusion, disorientation, and reduce mobility contribute to this issue.
It’s A Wrap!
Before, bedrest is recommended for patients to promote healing and recovery.
However, recent studies have shown its detrimental effects not just on the abdominal system, but to other parts as well.
I guess it’s still case to case basis; it depends upon the situation.
At the end of the day, it’s best to seek help from the expert.
Now, you’ve already understand what effects can bedrest have on the abdominal system.
Have a great day!