(4) Inflammation is sometimes accompanied by fever. It is not clear how
inflammation influences the body's temperature-regulating center. It is possible that a
substance absorbed from the injured cells is the signal that stimulates the response of
fever.
(5) Although the effects of inflammation are uncomfortable, they may
actually prove beneficial. Protein escapes into damaged tissue and forms a gelatin type
substance; this substance keeps materials from moving out of the wound site into the
rest of the body. The patient experiences swelling and pain, both of which encourage
him to be rather quiet and rest the injured area. This keeps infection in the injured area
from spreading to other parts of the body. Bacteria, or a substance such as a foreign
chemical, could harm other tissues if spread by activity to other parts of the body.
(6) Signs and symptoms of inflammation are so easy to see that
inflammation attracts a great deal of attention. A doctor relies on inflammation to help
locate and identify the place and type of body injury. It is possible to decide whether the
body is overcoming the problem or needs additional help by watching the sequence of
inflammation symptoms.
c. Complications. Wound complication refers to anything abnormal in the
healing process. The term also refers to the loss of function of a body organ, the
function loss caused by the initial wound. Infection is the single most common wound
complication. Other complications of wound healing include continued bleeding, dying
tissue, and improper healing.
(1) Continued bleeding. Bleeding must be stopped to allow the healing
process to proceed.
(2) Dying tissue. Tissues at the site of severe injuries may have been
severely damaged by being deprived of their blood supply with its oxygen and nutrients.
These tissues will die and must be removed or carried away in the capillaries for healing
to take place properly.
Results of improper healing.
(3)
(a) A keloid is excessive scar tissue growth. It can appear in an area
of injury, looking like a smooth overgrowth of fibroblastic tissues (tissues composed of
spindle-shaped cells). Keloids occur primarily in dark-skinned people, but given the
proper conditions, anyone can develop a keloid. Keloids can be removed surgically for
cosmetic reasons.
(b) A localized infection in which there is an accumulation of pus is an
abscess. Pus is a liquid accumulation of phagocytes (also called leukocytes). An
abscess is caused by an infecting microorganism. The particular microorganism
determines whether the pus is white, yellow, pink, or green.
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