The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to expanding the number of certified wound care specialists while also focusing on providing education and conducting research in the field of wound care.
June is Wound Healing Awareness Month (WHAM), a time to raise awareness and show support for individuals living with persistent wounds. One of the key organizations involved in promoting awareness is the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), which actively spreads awareness through its WHAM program.
The ABWM’s website offers a wealth of resources and educational materials to help individuals learn more about wound care and participate in Wound Healing Awareness Month. Another group that contributes to spreading awareness during Wound Healing Awareness Month is the Universal Health Service (UHS).
Chronic wounds affect a significant number of people. In the United States alone, approximately seven million individuals suffer from chronic wounds. Defined by the American Association for Family Physicians (AAFP) as wounds that fail to progress through a normal, orderly, and timely sequence of repair. Among these seven million individuals, two million are specifically living with diabetic foot ulcers, a common type of chronic wound.
According to the National Library of Medicine, there are an estimated one and a half to two million people in Europe who suffer from chronic wounds. Additionally, the EU’s Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) reports that around 55 million people in Europe have diabetes, and approximately eight million individuals, or about 14.5% of those with diabetes, are at risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer.
These statistics highlight the widespread impact of chronic wounds and the importance of raising awareness, promoting education, and supporting individuals affected by these conditions. In addressing this issue, innovative solutions like our wound products play a vital role.
Kerecis offers a diverse range of products specifically created to cater to various types of wounds, including chronic wounds, burns, and surgical wounds. Kerecis stands out with a highly versatile product with unique properties, distinguishing it from other options available in the market. As the sole commercially available fish skin product used in wound care, it offers distinct advantages. Including the rapid incorporation of the cells, relatively lower cost, omega-3 anti-inflammatory properties, multiple sizes, and minimal processing with harsh chemicals.
FAQs About Wound Healing
Why does it take so long for my wound to heal?
Several factors can contribute to hindered healing, with the main factors being hypoxia, bacterial colonization, ischemia, reperfusion injury, abnormal cellular response, and defects in collagen synthesis. Chronic wounds can arise from various causes such as trauma, burns, skin cancers, infections, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes.
The process of wound healing is traditionally categorized into four distinct stages: (A) hemostasis, (B) inflammation, (C) proliferation, and (D) remodeling. These stages are distinguished by specific molecular and cellular events, and are regulated by various signaling molecules that are produced and released by the cells involved in the wound healing response.
Interesting Facts About Wound Healing
References
- American Board of Wound Management (ABWM)
- Universal Health Service (UHS)
- American Association for Family Physicians (AAFP)
- National Library of Medicine
- EU Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Advances in Wound Care
- National Library of Medicine
- Journal of the American Medical Association
- Advances in Wound Care
- Wound Repair and Regeneration
- Kerecis