When the band's parties are not enough. Chronic and new medical wounds ...

Chronic wounds and new medical arsenal

As a doctor who specializes in wound care, I often see patients frustrated by wounds that simply reject recovery. Chronic wounds – those that still exist for weeks or even months – affect millions of Americans every year. They are not just inconvenience. It can severely affect the quality of life, and in some cases, it becomes life -threatening. Christopher Reef, a famous actor for superman, died in 2004 due to complications of infected pressure ulcers – a chronic wound related to years of paralysis.

Most small wounds follow a typical path: bleeding, swelling that removes unwanted substances, grows new tissues, and the skin is shown. Sometimes, this process stops. Chronic wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure sores, fail to advance during these stages as it should.

Chronic wounds have several reasons. Low blood flow is a common factor, especially among diabetics or vascular diseases. Without adequate blood circulation, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the wound, or slow down or prevent the repair of tissues. Inflammation, infection and repeated trauma in the area can hinder healing.

Basic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or diseases that affect the immune system increase the weakness of the body’s defenses. Even lifestyle factors – including smoking and poor diet – are very slow.

Chronic wounds are painful, but their emotional effect is often reduced. I have seen patients absent from work, delay vacation, or they suffer from depression due to a stubborn wound. The threat of major complications, including the loss of the limbs, is a permanent source of anxiety.

Fortunately, progress in medicine helps us manage chronic wounds more effectively. We are now using a multidisciplinary team approach, increasingly primary care doctors, vascular specialists, endocrine scientists, and wound care nurses.

One of the most important developments is the use of advanced wound dressings – some of which contain silver factors, honey or antimicrobials – which help control infection and maintain a wet environment ideal for recovery.

Treating the negative wound of pressure (wounds): These machines apply a nice suction to extract liquid and improve blood flow.
Board: Parts of the skin or tissues are surgically implanted from the body (or donor) to another to help heal.
Skin alternatives: Engineering or biologically derived products are designed to imitate the function of the skin and enhance tissue regeneration in chronic or complex wounds.
Growth factors: Topical treatments can stimulate the development of new tissues at the cellular level.
Oxygen treatment height: In some cases, treatment with pure, high -pressure oxygen can increase body repair mechanisms.
The next generation of drugs to combat wound, such as Vitastem.

While new treatments are promising, prevention remains necessary. Good control of glucose in the blood, the regular foot examination of people with diabetes, and appropriate skin care can prevent many wounds from becoming chronic.

My advice to each patient is: Do not lose sight of the wounds that will not heal. Early care gives us the best opportunity to treat wounds – and help patients stay in good and independent health.

If you need this revised to publish a different post, get the goal of the number of words, or want a more personal story, tell me that!

Dr. Christopher Outiko is a founder and executive head of Viaderma and Creator of Vitasstem, which is topical antibiotics registered in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To find out more, go to www.viaderma.com.