Chronic wound
Chronic Wound
A Chronic Wound (/ˈkrɒnɪk wuːnd/) is a type of wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time the way most wounds do; instead, these wounds heal over a longer period of time.
Etymology
The term "chronic" is derived from the Greek word "chronos" which means time. It is used in medicine to describe a health condition that is persistent or long-lasting. The term "wound" comes from the Old English word "wund" which means an injury to the body.
Types of Chronic Wounds
There are several types of chronic wounds, including:
- Pressure Ulcers: These are caused by pressure applied to soft tissue resulting in completely or partially obstructed blood flow to the soft tissue.
- Venous Ulcers: These are caused by improper functioning of venous valves, usually of the legs.
- Arterial Ulcers: These are caused by damage to the arteries due to lack of blood flow.
- Diabetic Ulcers: These are caused by a combination of arterial disease and nerve damage.
Treatment
Treatment of chronic wounds usually involves the application of dressings, the use of antibiotics, and in some cases, surgery. The goal of treatment is to heal the wound, prevent infection, and improve the patient's quality of life.
Related Terms
- Wound Healing: The process by which the skin, or any injured organ, repairs itself after injury.
- Infection: The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents.
- Surgery: An operative procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chronic wound
- Wikipedia's article - Chronic wound
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