|
introduction and phases
of wound healing
personal factors that affect wound healing - nutrition,
fluids, smoking
personal factors that
affect wound healing - diabetes, movement, steroids,
alcohol, stress, sun exposure, other factors
surgical and post operative
factors that affect wound healing
healing supplements
- arnica
healing supplements
- bromelain, vitamin K cream
scar formation and treatment
hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Personal Factors That Affect Wound Healing
When it comes to healing, there are quite a few things
that you can do to give your wounds the best chance
at healing.
Nutrition- Studies show that your body needs
zinc, vitamin C, protein, iron, a stable weight, adequate
calories, vitamins and minerals to heal effectively.During
surgery, protein and iron are also lost in red blood
cells when you bleed. Since anemia (low iron levels)
decreases the oxygen delivery to the wound, this can
delay and make you feel weak and tired.
Low vitamin C and zinc levels are both factors which
are necessary to make collagen; therefore, low levels
of C and zinc have been linked to poor healing and wound
separation. Increased infection rates are noted in patients
with weight loss and low albumin (protein) levels.
With your doctor's consent, it's a good idea to take
a multi-vitamin supplement and additional vitamin C
once a day before surgery. (Make sure total Vitamin
E intake is 200 units or less to prevent bleeding problems).
Fluids - During and after surgery, you can lose
a lot of fluids through bleeding, breathing through
your mouth, burns (including the controlled burn of
laser resurfacing), fever, and from weepy wounds. Your
anesthesiologist will replace some lost through your
IV, especially if you are having liposuction.
But after surgery, it's very important to drink enough
caffeine-free, alcohol-free fluids to prevent dehydration
and dangerous electrolyte imbalances. When you urinate,
the color should be clear or very pale yellow. If the
urine is dark yellow or orange, you are definitely not
drinking enough.
Smoking- Nicotine in any form (cigarette, patch,
gum, chewing tobacco) causes the blood vessels to constrict
and decreases the delivery of oxygen to your tissues,
preventing enough nutrients from being delivered to
allow for adequate healing. Although oxygen delivery
is important in any wound, it is especially important
when the skin is separated from underlying structures,
creating a flap.
A flap is formed in many cosmetic surgeries, such as
facelifts, neck lifts, breast lifts, and tummy tucks.
If you use nicotine, you are greatly increasing your
chances that the skin flap will die, leaving an even
larger, uglier problem than you started with.
The risk of complications is so high that many surgeons
will not operate on you if you smoke. Smoking also depletes
Vitamin C levels 40% quicker than in non-smokers. So,
if you smoke or use other forms of nicotine, and especially
if you want cosmetic surgery, stop now and make sure
it's at least 3 weeks before your surgery!
To Next Section - Personal
Factors That Affect Wound Healing: diabetes, movement,
steroids, alcohol, stress, sun exposure, other factors
|
