Baptist Health Wound Care provides tips for Stress Awareness Month

Baptist Health Wound Care is helping raise awareness of how stress can affect wounds during Stress Awareness Month in April.

Baptist Health Wound Care is helping raise awareness of how stress can affect wounds during Stress Awareness Month in April.

Evidence suggests stress and other behavioral factors can affect wound healing. Stress is the body’s natural response to any outside stimulus that is mentally or physically agitating. The body secretes hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline during stressful situations and events.

According to the American Psychological Association, stress can lead to anxiety, insomnia, muscle soreness and a weakened immune system. Chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, which can eventually lead to cardiovascular issues. Stress can also affect a person’s ability to heal which can cause chronic, non- healing wounds.

Chronic wounds affect approximately 6.7 million people in the United States. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to a diminished quality of life and possible amputation of the affected limb. The cost to treat these wounds exceeds $50 billion annually.

It is important to handle stress in a healthy way, especially if you have a chronic wound. Baptist Health Wound Care offers the following tips to deal with stress:

Avoid drugs and alcohol. In the long run, these can create even more problems and stress.

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• Find a support network. A spouse, friend, family member, professional counselor or a doctor can play an important role in a support network.

   

• Connect with your friends and loved ones by spending quality time with them.

   

• Take care of yourself by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, sleeping well and maintaining a normal routine.

   

• Stay active by volunteering, learning a new hobby or taking long walks.

For more information about non-healing wounds and how stress can affect wound healing, contact the Baptist Health Wound Care at 270.575.2414.