Factors Affecting Wound Healing: Age and Diabetes

Running Head: WOUND HEALING 0
Wound Healing
Nursing

WOUND HEALING 1
Wound Healing
Step 1: Introduction of wound healing factors
The wound healing is a complex process and wound is a break in the skin ( Han & Ceilley,
2017). The two facts that influence wound healing are Age and Diabetes. Age is the factor
which affects everything in the body like body structure and body functioning. Some medical
issues are generally found in elder age rather than younger. The second factor is diabetes.
People suffering from diabetes, if gets even minor cuts, burns takes time to recover from that
injury. It is necessary for people who suffer from diabetes to keep their blood sugar level in
control so that it will help to heal the wounds in a quicker way.
Step 2: Factors influencing wound healing
Firstly, the age factor is being considered. The incidence of long-lasting wound is increasing
and the wound healing gets slower with age. The impact of the diseases which does not
recover soon like diabetes, high blood pressure is also increasing in the elder age. When the
blood does not reach properly to the affected area, the area becomes low in nutrition and
oxygen and healing of wound gets slower. The relationship between age and wound healing
is that in younger age the wounds heal quickly whereas in elder age the wound healing gets
slower. The three common reasons why wound healing is slower between older adults are
delayed inflammatory response, reduced skin elasticity and diabetes. Age is the most
common factor that will help to tell in how much time the wound will be healing. There are
many changes in hormones, proteins as the one gets older and these age related changes may
have harmful effect on wound healing. As one gets older it takes the skin longer to heal
because skin is not that renewed so it takes more time to heal (Lisa , 2015).

WOUND HEALING 2
Secondly, Diabetes also creates many complications in wound healing. Even if there is no
infection in the wound but slow healing affects the person’s health. Diabetic patient suffers a
lot from foot ulcers. In case if the person is not aware about injury and of course not taking
the treatment than the wounds can get worse. The untreated wound can create more infection
in the muscle. For the diabetic patient it is more difficult to heal the wound quickly. Many
people who suffer from diabetes can follow some criteria so it will help to heal the wound in
a better way and in less time. These criteria are to manage the blood glucose, foot care and
immediately getting treated the wound as they occur. The relationship between diabetic and
wound healing is complicated. A diabetic patient takes more time to heal the wound. People
who are suffering from diabetes might have vision problems or pain in lower legs or feet
(Villines, 2019).
Step 3: Assistance in wound healing
If a diabetic patient maintains the glucose level and blood sugar level than it will help to heal
the wounds faster. The sufficient meals and nutritious snacks help to maintain the glucose
level. A proper diet can help to heal the wound faster. Person suffering from diabetes should
contact to doctor immediately when they develop painful wounds or the wound is serious and
may create infection. The infected wound if not treated can create gangrene. Gangrene means
death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow. Foot care is must for diabetic patient. Foot
care can be done by washing the feet daily, wearing comfortable shoes. Being without shoes
increases the risk of infection. When a person is dealing with foot wound must wear white
socks so that any blood cells or other signs will be visible easily (Villines, 2019).
The second factor is age. In elder age also exercise or some physical activity can improve to
heal the wound. In both elder and younger age wound is to be kept away from sun. If the rays
of sun attack the wound than wound take more time to heal. The wound is to be kept clean