Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in Texas. All economic indicators, such as employment, commercial real estate, industrial leasing, office demand, and residential estate, have posted modest to robust growths. 

One offshoot of urbanization is pollution. With a total population of more than 7.5 million residents, the Metroplex is a laboratory for lifestyle diseases and chronic conditions. 

The State of Air Report revealed that 2.6 million DFW residents are at risk due to the poor air quality. People at risk include those with asthma and lung diseases, children, the elderly, as well as those with diabetes and a weak heart condition. 

According to data, non-healing wounds cause the US healthcare system about $25 billion annually. For instance, people who have diabetes with a chronic wound will spend about $50,000 on treatment. Each year, there are 6.5 million who are suffering from chronic wounds, particularly with the rising cases of diabetes. In Dallas County, more than11% of the population is afflicted with diabetes. The figure is higher than the country’s average.

According to reports, there will be nearly 9.5 million diabetes patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by 2030. As one of the biggest causes of non-healing wounds, diabetes patients often require specialized care to manage the condition, seeking out the best wound care specialist Fort Worth can provide. More than 3 in 10 diabetes patients will contract ulcers, another serious complication of the disease. Of that number, about half of them will develop complications. Roughly 20% of the complicated cases will result in foot amputation. 

Other Common Reasons for Chronic Wounds

Generally, if a wound does not heal, it could be one of the following reasons:

• Poor circulation
• Edema, which occurs when the blood vessels leak and affect the surrounding tissues 
• Poor nutrition
• Infection
• Repetitive trauma to the affected area

In most instances, any of these conditions may occur at the same time.

Treatment of Chronic Wounds 

A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in five to eight weeks. It seems nothing is working even if you are following the instructions given by the healthcare provider. If left untreated, a chronic wound can lead to severe infection and complications, and even death.

Some of the symptoms include:

• Dark circle surrounding the wound’s edges
• Pain that worsens over time
• Redness
• Swelling
• Foul odor from the wound

Following palliative care, a wound care specialist will then determine the cause of the chronic wound and create a treatment plan. 

Treatment methods for chronic wounds include:

• Surgery
• Isolating the infection
• Compression wraps or stockings
• Antibiotics
• The use of specialized dressing
• Oxygen therapy (hyperbaric)
• Stem cell therapy
• Removal of the unhealthy or dead tissues
• Negative pressure therapy
• Ultrasound

In most cases, the treatment will involve two or three protocols.

Of course, the most effective way to fight against diabetes and other diseases that cause chronic wounds is prevention. Once the doctor diagnoses you with one of these diseases, there is no going back. Healthcare providers in Fort Worth play a crucial role in caring for patients, managing the diseases and health conditions that prevent wounds from healing properly.