Elderly, wounds

Pressures sores, also known as decubitous ulcers or bedsores, affect 1.5 to 3 million Americans annually.35 The cost of healing pressure sores can be substantial, with current estimates ranging from 2000 to 70,000 per wound.35 Although the prevalence of pressure sores is highest in long-term care facilities, 57% to 60% of new pressure sores actually develop in the hospital, most commonly in intensive-care and orthopedic patients. Elderly patients and those with spinal cord injuries are most at risk36... 

Cat bites are the second most common animal bite, most often occurring in women and elderly individuals. Most involve the hand. Because cats have long, thin teeth that cause puncture wounds, their bites are more likely to become infected than a dog bite. Approximately 50% of cat bites become infected.43,44... 

Also in the 17th century John Evelyn wrote in his Herbal, "If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could all for which he might not fetch a remedy from every hedge, either for sickness or wounds." Evelyn also claimed that elder would help assist longevity and was effective "against all infirmities, whatever."... 

Elder flower ointment (Ungentum sambuci) was commonly used topically to treat human conditions such as hemorrhoids, chilblains (a milder version of frostbite) as well as treating horses wounded in battle. During World War I, Ungentum sambuci was... 

Elder leaves are primarily used for topical applications as an emollient and vulnerary. They were traditionally mixed with tallow and made into an ointment for hemorrhoids, burns, bruises, sprains, chilblains, wounds, hives, eczema, tumors and gout. Elder leaf salve is reported to be as effective as cortisone creams. Elder is most beneficial in moving the stagnation associated with black-and-blue marks. Soaking cuts in a tea of elder leaves before applying the salve is another common first aid application. 

Vulnerary. Elder is an effective remedy for relieving hemorrhoids when applied topically as a salve. Elder has been used to treat erysipelas, an acute inflammation caused by strep bacteria that erupts on the skin. Elder has also served humankind well in applications for bums, cuts and wounds. It can also be used as a sore throat gargle or for inflamed gums and mouth tissue. Parts used flowers, berries, leaves. 

Wounds can be categorized as acute (healing quickly on their own) or chronic (healing slowly, and often requiring medication). Chronic wounds, such as ulcers (Table 10.9), occur if some influence disrupts the normal healing process. Such influences can include diabetes, malnutrition, rheumatoid arthritis and ischaemia (inadequate flow of blood to any part of the body). Elderly people are particularly susceptible to developing chronic wounds, often resulting in the necessity for hospitalization. Ulceration (particularly of the limbs or extremities) associated with old age,... 

Chronic ulcers are a significant health problem in young and elderly individuals that culminates in disability, decreased productivity, and loss of independence [1, 2], The economic costs associated with chronic wounds are enormous for the healthcare system as well as for patients [3], The healing process is slow and often incomplete and patients not responding to conservative therapy become candidates for amputation [4],... 

Kirk SJ, Hurson M, Regan MC, et al. Arginine stimulates wound healing and immune function in elderly human beings. Surgery 1993 114 155— 160. 

Prasad AJ and Good RA (1982) Zinc nutriture in the elderly in relation to taste acuity, immune response, wound healing. Am J Clin Nutr 36 1046-1059. 

Protein-energy malnutrihon is very common in hospitalised patients, especially in the elderly, and causes difficulhes with wound healing and increases pressure-sore development... 

It should be stated that venous leg ulcers are chronic and there is no medication or surgery to cure the disease other than the compression therapy. A sustained graduated compression mainly enhances the flow of blood back to the heart, improves the functioning of valves and calf muscle pumps, reduces oedema, and prevents the swelling of veins. Mostly elderly people are prone to develop DVT, varicose veins, and venous leg ulcers. Venous leg ulcers are the most frequently occurring type of chronic wound, accounting for 80-90% of all lower extremity ulceration. 

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