Age-related differences in wound healing have been clearly documented. Although the elderly can heal most wounds, they have a slower healing process, and all phases of wound healing are affected. The inflammatory response is decreased or delayed, as is the proliferative response. Remodeling occurs, but to a lesser degree, and the collagen formed is qualitatively different. Diseases that affect wound healing are more prevalent in the elderly and have a greater adverse effect on healing than in young adults. Thus, particularly in the elderly, concomitant medical problems should be treated vigorously to allow for maximum healing. Recent trials of novel therapies to enhance wound healing suggest, however, that much can be done to improve the prognosis of elderly patients with risk factors known to adversely affect wound healing. Wound care clinic A wound care center, or clinic, is a medical facility for treating wounds that do not heal. You may have a non-healing wound if it: •Has not started to heal in 2 weeks •Has not completely healed in 6 week

• Injury

• Disease (such as diabetes)

• A surgical incision

• Poor circulation

• Poor nutrition

• Or other factors.

• Pain

• Bleeding

• And swelling

 

Additional signs to seek medical attention for a wound include 

• Bleeding cannot be stopped or blood is soaking through the outside of the dressing

• The wound is very deep or has jagged edges

• The dressing becomes wet or falls off

• Pain from the wound continues to increase

• Signs of infection are present such as increased redness and warmth, increased drainage and odor, increased pain, swelling, and fever

If an acute wound fails to heal properly, it can progress into a chronic wound. Generally, this is the worst scenario for a wound because failure to heal properly has led to an abandonment of blood, oxygen and nutrients being administered by the body to the injury.

 

 

 

 

Most wounds heal naturally over time, but sometimes this process does not happen as it should.

Acute wounds are injuries that occur on the skin suddenly rather than over time. These wounds can be painful and exposure to air can lead to infection as well as further damage of vessels, nerves and muscle tissue. and treatment must be provided as quickly as possible.

Home treatment 

• Apply pressure and control the bleeding

• Clean the wound area with soap or saline solution

• If possible, remove debris from the wound

• Keep the wound moist and covered to prevent infection. A moist wound heals twice as quickly as a dry one.

• Maintain proper nutrition including quality protein

When a wound progresses to a chronic phase, at-home healing becomes out of the question. Professional medical attention is now the only option to properly treat the wound and prevent complications and potential amputations.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Depending on the type of wound, your doctor may recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Oxygen is important for healing.

During this treatment, you sit inside a special chamber. The air pressure inside the chamber is about two and a half times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere. This pressure helps your blood carry more oxygen to organs and tissues in your body. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help some wounds heal faster.

Other Treatments

Your health care providers may recommend other types of treatment, including:

Compression stockings-- tight-fitting stockings or wraps that improve blood flow and help with healing.

Ultrasound -- using sound waves to aid healing.

Artificial skin -- a "fake skin" that covers the wound for days at a time as it heals.

Negative pressure therapy -- pulling the air out of a closed dressing, creating a vacuum. The negative pressure improves blood flow and pulls out excess fluid.

Growth factor therapy -- materials produced by the body that helps wound-healing cells grow.

You will receive treatment at the wound center every week or more, depending on your treatment plan.

Your Wound Care Team

When you go to a wound clinic, you will work with a team of health care providers trained in wound care. Your team may include:

Doctors who oversee your care

• Nurses who clean and dress your wound and teach you how to care for it at home

• Physical therapists who help with wound care and work with you to help you stay mobile

• Wound treatment options are available at Senior Citizen Healthcare

Here, we provide the best and latest non- surgical interventions to treat Wound