How Wound Healing Gets Affected From Comorbidities?

1. How Wound Healing Gets Affected From Comorbidities? Any type of wound in the body needs a sufficient amount of oxygen, nutrients, energy, and proficient working of the vascular system to heal properly. Comorbidities can be defined as any underlying medical or health condition that may interrupt this procedure and cause slower wound healing. In simple words, when a medical condition diverts these essential resources from the wound site that are contributing to the wound healing process could be considered comorbidity or cofactor that disrupts the wound healing. Several medical conditions are there that can inhibit or even prevent the wound healing process. Some of those conditions are here as follows: Comorbidity 1 - Diabetes Diabetes is one of the most common causes of chronic foot ulcers with a prevalence of 15%, and thereby people living with diabetes are more prone to develop chronic wounds. The wound healing disruptions for diabetic people start when elevated blood sugar levels narrow the arteries and lead to the wound being deprived of sufficient blood flow and oxygen necessary for cell migration and revascularization. The disrupted blood flow also decreases the functioning of red blood cells responsible for carrying nutrients to the tissues, which ultimately lowers the capability of white blood cells to fight infection. Comorbidity 2 - Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is simply the arterial and venous insufficiencies where the blood supply flow to the wound site gets affected. This inadequate supply of oxygen- and nutrient-enriched blood results in delayed wound healing. PVD occurs due to a narrowing or malfunctioning of arteries or veins supplying blood to the lower extremities. The wounds are deprived of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, causing slower wound healing. Some of the risk factors for PVD include high blood cholesterol, diabetes, old age, and smoking habits. In case of arterial insufficiency, schedule a bedside appointment with wound care experts. Comorbidity 3 - Wound Infection A wound becomes infected when bacteria living on the wound-bad start developing and penetrate the body through broken or excavated skin. Infection is one of the main reasons behind slower wound healing or no healing at all due to damaged tissues and inflammation. Though the body generates about 11 trillion fresh white blood cells every day and there are rare chances that an organism on the wound surface develops an infection but sometimes, the bacteria growing on

2. the skin’s surface are extremely high, leading to developing infection and slower wound healing process. Comorbidity -4 - Immune System Deficiency The immune system is the body’s natural defense mechanism that fights against the signs of infection. It protects the body against harmful microorganisms and encourages inflammation to quicker wound healing. However, some conditions such as diabetes, age, chronic diseases, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and lupus can affect the body’s natural ability to fight infection. If a patient is suffering from any of these conditions, he/she should immediately contact wound care specialist Los Angeles. For example, high blood sugar levels can cause the ineffectiveness of immune cells, increasing the risk of infection. If left untreated, it can result in other severe complications such as gangrene, sepsis or bone infection, etc. Comorbidity 5 - Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where the blood vessels that are responsible for carrying blood to the lower extremities are damaged, resulting in improper wound healing. This condition is common in people suffering from diabetes and the nerve damage causes a loss of sensation in the feet. Also known as diabetic neuropathy, this is a condition where the patient cannot feel any developing or infected wounds on the feet.

3. Comorbidity 6 - Aging People with old age have less elastic and more fragile skin, thereby they heal more slowly. The risk of infection is also higher in old-age people due to a slower inflammatory response, decreased production of antibodies, and slow functioning endocrine system. Elderly patients tend to have more scars as wounds heal. Additionally, patients aged 65 and above are at higher risk of developing chronic wounds such as venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, arterial insufficiency ulcers, etc. due to a higher incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If any patient notices signs of infection in chronic wounds, he/she should contact pressure ulcer treatment, Los Angeles. Comorbidity 7 - Poor Nutrition One of the comorbidities that affect wound healing is none other than malnutrition or inadequate intake of nutrients that may also result in infection. For a wound to be properly healed, higher energy and nutrition are essential along with the additional wound care. The body uses protein for energy and heals the wound properly. Comorbidity 8 - Stress or Emotional Disorders Depression or stress is also considered a cofactor or comorbidity that affects the wound healing process. Psychological stress can hurt the healing process. The patients can become non-compliant or resistant while performing the physical steps of wound healing such as dressing changes, cleaning wounds & applying topical medications or taking medicines, etc. Additionally, depression can also cause skipped wound care appointments and refusal of treatment. A proper wound healing depends on a fully-functional body system including the body’s ability to deliver energies and nutrients to the wound site. Apart from this, deep patient history and assessment must also be conducted to figure out all the cofactors that may affect the slower wound healing.