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Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often over bony areas like the sacrum, heels, or hips. The condition is most common in people who are bedridden, immobilized, or in wheelchairs. One of the primary ways to prevent bedsores is by regularly turning the body, which helps redistribute pressure and reduces the risk of skin damage.
Bedsores occur when pressure disrupts blood flow to the skin, especially in individuals who cannot change positions on their own. Turning the body at regular intervals helps alleviate this pressure, a practice known to medical professionals since at least the 19th century. In recent times, this practice has been confirmed as an effective prevention method for pressure ulcers.
And you would have thought they were awake, though they were asleep. We turned them over, to the right and left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have certainly fled away from them, filled with horror.18:18
This verse refers to the sleep of the People of the Cave, who were miraculously preserved in a deep slumber for many years. The Quran mentions that their bodies were turned from side to side during their sleep.
This practice of turning the body over to prevent injury was highlighted in the Quran 1400 years ago, long before modern science confirmed its importance for preventing bedsores. How could an unlettered man, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, have known this? This knowledge is evidence of the Quran’s divine origin, showcasing how the Quran contains wisdom that aligns with modern medical understanding.