Vital Wellness

Proper care for treating an open wound requires a full understanding of the physiological and anatomical aspects of the skin throughout the entire process of healing. There are many different types of wounds, with each one having its own recognizing factors that have the potential to complicate or delay the healing process. Each factor can play a significant role in evaluating, assessing, and finally managing the wound.

The healing of a wound can be delayed by a variety of local factors that are very specific to the wound itself. These can include infection, the presence of abnormal bacteria, desiccation, necrosis, pressure, maceration, edema and trauma. Based on the type of underlying factor, the health care provider must incorporate the best professional grade AllegroMedical.com wound care products. The basic understanding of each one includes:

• Presence of Abnormal Bacteria – Infection or the presence of abnormal bacteria can cause a harmful environment that impedes the ability for the wound to heal. Without the appropriate antibiotic and the use of proper wound care products, the infection can cause significant negative conditions including osteomyelitis.

• Desiccation – Many health care providers use AllegroMedical.com wound supplies that maintain a moist environment because it tends to heal many wounds faster than a dry environment. A crust or scab that forms over the site of the wound will often impede the process of healing. Read the rest of this entry »

Aside from a thiamin deficiency, excessive drinking can also cause a defi­ciency of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for formation of red blood cells as well as reactions involved in normal cell functions.

Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is more rapidly eliminated from the body during heavy drinking, over 50 percent of those who drink excessively seem to have defi­ciencies. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 can correct the problem, but only if no further alcohol is ever consumed. Good food sources of pyridoxine include meat, fish, poultry, or fortified cereals. Read the rest of this entry »

Daily Value: 18 milligrams

Good Food Sources: Beef, Cream of Wheat cereal, baked potatoes, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, clams.

Description:

There’s no doubt that many of us can use more iron than we’re getting. Roughly 20 percent of Americans are deficient in this mineral. The group most likely to be coming up short: women in their reproductive years.

Iron, which is absorbed in the intestines, comes in two forms: heme and non heme. Found in meats, the heme form is well absorbed. Men get about two-thirds of their iron needs met by heme iron; the amount varies for women. Nonheme iron is found in vegetables and isn’t as well absorbed. Read the rest of this entry »