Immobility is the state of being unable to move from one point to another. Immobility increases the possibility of health risks to a person. The inability to move can be caused by factors like the aging process, malnutrition, amputation, anxiety, obesity, terminal illness, and mandatory bed rest due to some diseases (Knight et al., 2018). Immobility can cause impacts on an individual body system that would deteriorate health status.
In the cardiovascular system, lack of body movement can cause orthostatic hypotension, resulting from a reduction in neurovascular reflexes. A decrease in the reflexes causes vasoconstriction of the muscles (LeWitt et al., 2020). Therefore, when blood pools in the veins, there is limited power to squeeze it out, especially in the lower parts of the body, back to the circulatory system. The condition can make a person faint or generally feel weak.
The respiratory system is also affected by immobility; when a person is not able to move, there is a decrease in the rate and depth of respiration processes. The movement of respiratory secretions also slows down due to the immobility of the body (LeWitt et al., 2020). The concentration of the secretion in the respiratory tract can result in infections. The person can develop Hypostatic pneumonia that causes cough, sharp chest pain, copious thick discharge, and increased pulse rate.
To prevent orthostatic hypotension, I would advise an immobile individual to increase salt content in their diet at a recommended level to improve the blood pressure in the body. Furthermore, I would encourage the patient to be taking more liquid to increase blood pooling in the system. Additionally, to prevent complications in the respiratory system, I would recommend the person takes meals with high fiber content and fluids.
References
Knight, J., Nigam, Y., & Jones, A. (2018). Effects of bedrest 2: Respiratory and haematological systems.Nursing Times, 115(1), 44-47. Web.
LeWitt, P. A., Kymes, S., & Hauser, R. A. (2020). Parkinson disease and orthostatic hypotension in the elderly: Recognition and management of risk factors for falls.Aging and Disease, 11(3), 679. Web.