Page 9 - Senior Times South Central Michigan July 2022 - 29-07

Wounds normally progress through a four-stage healing process. A wound becomes chronic when it gets stuck or stalls in one of the phases. A wound is considered chronic if it does not heal within 30 days.
What happens if chronic wounds go untreated? Untreated wounds can lead to seri- ous medical problems such as infection that can then spread to the bone. If it is left untreated at this point, it could lead to amputation.
Dr. Allan Caudill is a certified wound specialist with Bronson Wound & Hyperbaric, which has locations in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Paw Paw, and South Haven. All four locations offer a wide range of treatments and services provided by spe- cialty-trained physicians, nurses and therapists.
What causes chronic wounds? There are many causes, but the two most common ones are diabetes and vascular disease.
Senior Times - July 2022 Page 9
CHRONIC WOUND CARE AND PREVENTION Q&A
Responses from Dr. Allan Caudill
Did you know that chronic wounds affect 6.7 million Americans? One in four families has a family member with a chronic wound.
Diabetes – People with diabetes tend to develop neuropathy, which causes a decrease in sensation in the feet or extremities. Because of this, they can get pressure points and small inju- ries on their feet and other extremities that they don’t feel. Some people have reported walking long distances without realizing there were rocks in their shoes. These types of incidents can quickly cause a wound to develop.
What treatment options are available for chronic wounds? We have processes and pro- tocols we follow to individualize care for each patient we see. I like to describe it as ‘we treat the whole patient not just the hole in the patient.’
A chronic wound is one that does not heal
on its own within 30 days. It has a 50 percent chance of developing into a serious infection. Older adults have a greater risk of developing chronic wounds as well as those with diabetes or a vascular disease.
Vascular Disease – This is the second most common cause because healthy blood vessels are needed to deliver oxygen to aid in healing. Oxygen is used throughout all four phases of wound healing. Vascular disease reduces oxygen and delays the healing process.
First, we determine the cause. For example, if the cause is diabetes and/or vascular disease, we start working with the patient’s primary care provider, diabetes educators, nutritionists, and vascular specialists.
To find out more about the importance
of wound care, we caught up with Dr. Allan Caudill, a certified wound specialist with Bronson Wound Center & Hyperbaric Medicine.
There are also many products that aid in healing and decrease the risk of infection thanks to recently developed science. Sometimes, we can provide treatments such as specialized casts or footwear.
What types of conditions do you typically see? We mostly see wounds related to diabetes and vascular disease. The majority of wounds are below the waist because the legs and feet are more impacted by pressure, trauma, and blood flow.
How often should a person check their own feet? More often is better than not. You want
to check for calluses, dark spots, and drainage. People with health conditions like diabetes and vascular disease should be checked more often.
Another treatment available at Bronson is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient will lay down inside a clear chamber that is pressurized with 100 percent oxygen to aid the healing process.
We also see patients for burns, non-healing surgical wounds, trauma wounds, and wounds caused by radiation therapy.
Do I need a referral to see a wound special- ist? You do not need a referral to see us, but we do prefer that you start by working closely with your primary care provider to address health concerns. If you don’t have a primary care pro- vider, visit bronsonhealth.com/find-a-doc.
Where can I learn more about wound care at Bronson? You can get information on our web- site at bronsonhealth.com/wound. You’ll find patient testimonials, articles, and educational resources.
When is a wound considered chronic?
Feeling Some Joint Pain?
Our team of specialists is ready to meet your needs and get you back to the things you enjoy. To schedule a same day appointment in Battle Creek or Marshall, call (855) 618-2676.
Orthopedic Specialists
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NUMBER OF UNITS INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING SKILLED NURSING ALZHEIMER / DEMENTIA RESPITE CARE
ADULT DAY CARE PETS
RESIDENT PARKING TRANSPORTATION PRIVATE PAY NURSE ON DUTY REHAB
LONG TERM STAY SHORT TERM STAY MEDICATION DELIVERY LAUNDRY HOUSEKEEPING ACTIVITIES
100% MEALS
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