Infection Prevention and Management
Your skin protects the inside of your body from germs that cannot be seen. Germs can cause infection if you have a break in the skin. You can also get an infection in your bone. This is called osteomyelitis.
We firmly believe that patients who are educated and informed about their condition have a higher chance of healing and prevention. In this section, we provide wound care education that will empower you to be an informed partner with your care team.
Your skin protects the inside of your body from germs that cannot be seen. Germs can cause infection if you have a break in the skin. You can also get an infection in your bone. This is called osteomyelitis.
How Does Smoking Affect Wound Healing? Cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine causes your arteries to become narrow. It can also cause your arteries to go into spasm. When this happens, the oxygen and nutrients carried in your blood cannot get to your wound. Oxygen and nutrients are needed for your wound to heal. A wound that…
Don’t Put Up With Pain A wound can often be painful. Doctors who work in wound care can help prevent or relieve the pain that may come from a problem wound.
Off-loading means not bearing weight. If your doctor recommends off-loading, you should not walk or bear weight on the extremity that has a wound or where a wound could develop. This includes your bottom or hips if you are bed or chair-bound.
Diabetes affects approximately 9% of the US population—about 30 million Americans—and brings with it a range of potential complications. Among the most serious but lesser-known complications is Charcot foot disease, a condition that can lead to severe deformity, disability, and even amputation if not properly managed. While Charcot foot is relatively rare, affecting less than…
Tips for Caregivers Transferring Patients Caregivers helping transfer patients safely, remember to:
Constant high blood sugar levels can cause your wounds to heal slowly. It can also cause your wound to not heal.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious condition that affects millions of people, often leading to significant health issues, including difficult-to-heal wounds. This condition involves the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in your legs, which reduces blood flow to your feet and lower legs. This decreased blood flow can severely impact the health of…
Malignant and atypical wounds affect thousands of patients each year, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, these conditions are manageable. While these wounds present unique challenges, understanding your condition and working with experienced wound care specialists can significantly improve your quality of life and treatment outcomes. If you’ve been diagnosed with a malignant or atypical…
We all can think of reasons not to exercise…no time, boring, hate to sweat…you know the excuses. But exercising to heal can really pay off in control of your blood sugar, if you are diabetic. It improves your heart, muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. Exercise can lower cholesterol level, provide more energy, and even give…