Healogics Blog

Who is at risk for wound infections?

Anyone can get an infection. People with open wounds, weak immune systems or those living with diabetes are especially susceptible to wound and/or bone infection, called osteomyelitis.

Written by Carolyn Shinn, Vice President, Clinical and Quality Process Excellence at Healogics.

March is National Nutrition Month so it is a perfect time to raise awareness of how nutrition affects wound healing. Good nutrition, including an increase in the right type of calories, is the one common treatment requirement across all types of wounds. This is because the presence of a chronic wound raises the metabolic demands of our immune system. 

Wondering how to heal wounds faster? There are a number of steps you can take. Research proves that wounds heal faster when patients stay involved in their care and follow their doctor’s advice. The most important way to help your wound heal is by keeping every scheduled appointment. However, you also need to follow good wound care practices at home.

Healogics Wound Care Centers^® across the United States are helping raise awareness of chronic wounds during the seventh annual Wound Care Awareness Week, being held from June 1 to June 5.

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.

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels in the legs. Blood flow to your feet and legs is decreased. This decreased blood flow affects the health of your skin on your feet and legs. It can also be the reason a foot ulcer does not heal. People with PAD have an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. An estimated 8 million people in the USA have PAD.