Chronic Wound and Diabetes

Non-healing wounds of the diabetic foot are considered one of the most significant complications of diabetes, representing a major worldwide medical, social, and economic burden that greatly affects patient quality of life.

Almost 24 million Americans—one in every 12—are diabetic, and the disease is causing widespread disability and death at an epidemic pace, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those with diabetes, 6.5 million are estimated to suffer with chronic or non-healing wounds. 

Chronic Wound

 

Definition of a Chronic Wound, Causes of Chronic Wounds

  Achronical wound is a wound that does not heal in an expected way and in a predictable amount of time as most wounds do. A chronic wound can be recognized by a number of symptoms including the loss of skin and/or tissue surrounding the wound or by the amount of time it takes to heal. Once a wound has become chronic, intensive medical intervention and wound treatments are required to make the wound heal. There are many types of chronic wounds, as well as many causes of chronic wounds and treatments for chronic wounds.

Causes of Chronic Wounds

Some of the common causes of chronic wounds include:  
Diabetes  
Vascular disease  
Infection  
Immobility  
Trauma  
Surgery  
Burns  
Radiation injury

A chronic wound may never heal or may take years to do so. These wounds can cause severe emotional and physical stress; they can also create a significant financial burden on you and on the entire healthcare system.