06 Jun How comorbidities affect wound healing.

 

For wounds to heal fully, the body requires oxygen, energy, nutrients, and a properly working vascular system that allows those resources to travel to the area and removes waste products away from it.

That said, any medical issue that inhibits those resources from getting to a wound would be a comorbidity that inhibits healing. Here are some of the most common comorbidities that impact wound healing and strategies for managing them in wound care patients. 

Common comorbidities that affect wound healing

Millions of Americans are affected by chronic wounds each year. But just as many have other serious health conditions that can affect wound healing. Here are some of the most common comorbidities that impact wounds:

1. Diabetes

The National Institutes of Health report that more than 25 million Americans struggle with diabetes, which can also affect wound healing. Higher levels of blood sugar can cause narrowing of blood vessels, stiffened arteries, and lower function of red blood cells to transport nutrients to wounds. 

2. Infection

Infection is one of the most common reasons for non-healing wounds. If there is too much bacteria present, it can become so destructive that a wound won’t heal, and other issues will develop. An untreated infection can lead to sepsis and even gangrene. 

3. Immune system deficiency

If a patient’s immune system is compromised, it can raise the risk of infection and inhibit wound healing. For example, asthma, lupus, and multiple sclerosis can negatively impact a patient’s ability to fight infection. 

4. Venous and arterial and insufficiencies

Wound healing requires a good blood supply flowing to and from the wound site. With venous and arterial insufficiencies, there is a build of substance in arteries or problems with the veins that inhibit this flow. Some examples include heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. 

5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Oxygen is a vital part of the wound healing process, encouraging wound contraction and protecting wounds from infection. So the presence of a disease characterized by limiting the supply of oxygen will be a factor in wound healing. 

6. Aging

Healing generally takes longer in elderly patients. The risk of infection is higher because they have more fragile skin, their antibody production is diminished, and they have a slower inflammatory response. 

7. Poor nutrition

When a patient’s body is struggling with wound healing, it requires up to triple the daily intake of protein. Pre-existing malnutrition can impair or delay healing. 

Strategies for managing comorbidities in wound patients

When comorbidities are present, successful wound healing is still possible. But the expectation must be set with the patient that appropriate wound care is essential, and that healing may be slow. Some of the key areas to the treatment plan include:

• Protecting the wound from any unnecessary trauma
• Keeping the wound isolated and avoiding extreme temperatures
• Maintaining an optimal moist wound environment when selecting dressings and wound care products
• Quickly treating any potential contamination or infection
• Considering debridement when it is appropriate. 

How FritzFinn can help in treating wounds with comorbidities

Treating wounds in patients with comorbidities can be challenging. Using standard wound care products to dress and maintain moisture may not be sufficient and could lead to complications. FritzFinn offers customized solutions for advanced wound care and post-surgical care. 

THE CARE PACKAGE from FritzFinn provides the patients with everything they need to care for their wounds in a single-use package. This simple-to-understand, easy-to-use package, called SMARTKITS™, is delivered directly to the patient’s door. 

When patients receive the customized SMARTKITS, they use the contents to clean and dress their wounds. It contains gloves, saline for wound irrigation, collagen, gauze, and the correct size and type of bandage covering. This product and service improve outcomes for patients with chronic wounds and comorbidities. 

Contact FritzFinn today to learn more about this useful and groundbreaking service.