<p>Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition that narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the limbs. For PAD patients, even minor burns can lead to severe complications if not treated properly. This blog post explores the risks associated with untreated minor burns in PAD patients, focusing on the role of nitric oxide in infection control and the heightened susceptibility to drug-resistant bacteria.</p>
<h4><a name="_wl2i9dibmd7"></a><strong>The Role of Nitric Oxide in Infection Control</strong></h4>
<p>Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial molecule in the body’s defense against infections. It helps to regulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance the immune response. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">In PAD patients, the production of nitric oxide is often impaired, which can compromise the body’s ability to fight infections effectively</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">1</a>. This deficiency can lead to prolonged healing times and an increased risk of complications from even minor injuries like burns.</p>
<h4><a name="_gt4kh9ygbbxn"></a><strong>Complications from Untreated Burns</strong></h4>
<p>When minor burns are not treated properly in PAD patients, several complications can arise:</p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li><strong>Infection</strong>: The most immediate risk is infection. Burns damage the skin’s protective barrier, making it easier for bacteria to enter the body. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">In PAD patients, reduced blood flow and impaired nitric oxide production further weaken the body’s ability to fend off infections</a><a href="https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-017-1782-2">2</a>. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393"><strong>Sepsis</strong></a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: If an infection spreads, it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation</a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-caused-by-burns">3</a>. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393"><strong>Chronic Wounds</strong></a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: Untreated burns can develop into chronic wounds, which are difficult to heal and can lead to further complications, including the need for amputation in severe cases</a><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/symptoms-causes/syc-20370539">4</a>. </li>
</ol>
<h4><a name="_uk0xj7ekvud6"></a><strong>Susceptibility to Drug-Resistant Bacteria</strong></h4>
<p>PAD patients are particularly vulnerable to infections from drug-resistant bacteria. The impaired blood flow and reduced nitric oxide levels create an environment where bacteria can thrive and become resistant to antibiotics. According to the CDC, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the U.S. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">each year, leading to over 35,000 deaths</a><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/data-research/facts-stats/index.html">5</a>. PAD patients are at a higher risk due to their compromised immune systems and the frequent need for medical interventions.</p>
<h4><a name="_zbcv6iqigxm2"></a><strong>Statistics Highlighting the Risks</strong></h4>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393"><strong>Antimicrobial Resistance</strong></a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: In 2019, drug-resistant infections were responsible for 1.27 million deaths worldwide</a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00228-x">6</a>. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393"><strong>Infection Rates</strong></a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: PAD patients with infected leg ulcers often face higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, complicating treatment and recovery</a><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0290103">7</a>. </li>
</ol>
<h4><a name="_c5du8zftn4vw"></a><strong>Take Action Today</strong></h4>
<p>Given the severe risks associated with untreated minor burns, it is crucial for PAD patients to take preventive measures. <strong>Take Action Today</strong>: If you have PAD, don’t take minor burns lightly. Your health and well-being depend on it. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, PAD patients can significantly reduce their chances of complications from minor burns. Stay informed, stay prepared, and prioritize your health. Visit NOxyDERM.com for more information.<br>
<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/symptoms-causes/syc-20370539">4</a><a href="https://www.bing.com/aclick?ld=e8U--d7urFSlkxGX3Jv0iukTVUCUzvo_mozg53Z9T1IB7UVMIAlfW2tMsF0r_J9mb4aJdsWYJrMfYDDFkRsBX2tpf0hPdC41xK8qjdK88opmb0DPf8n8xR1xDntdv9511sxyqmxSwKZ98zpG4t6FrBLq7fdCs8VKIHz8tCja29gGk_6UJv&u=aHR0cHMlM2ElMmYlMmZhZC5kb3VibGVjbGljay5uZXQlMmZzZWFyY2hhZHMlMmZsaW5rJTJmY2xpY2slM2ZsaWQlM2Q0MzcwMDA3OTExMzY4MDQ0MiUyNmRzX3Nfa3dnaWQlM2Q1ODcwMDAwODY0NDU2NTAwMyUyNmRzX2FfY2lkJTNkMTU3NzYwMzcxMCUyNmRzX2FfY2FpZCUzZDIwOTA4NzMxMzIxJTI2ZHNfYV9hZ2lkJTNkMTU5MDY5OTM0MjQ0JTI2ZHNfYV9saWQlM2Rrd2QtMTE4Mzk1MzUxNDIxOSUyNiUyNmRzX2VfYWRpZCUzZDgyMDUxNDI3ODQyMDEwJTI2ZHNfZV90YXJnZXRfaWQlM2Rrd2QtODIwNTIxNjAzNzE1MjglM2Fsb2MtMTkwJTI2JTI2ZHNfZV9uZXR3b3JrJTNkbyUyNmRzX3VybF92JTNkMiUyNmRzX2Rlc3RfdXJsJTNkaHR0cHMlM2ElMmYlMmZ3d3cuaW5vbWF4LmNvbSUyZmRvc2luZy1hZG1pbi13ZWFuaW5nJTJmJTNmdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzZGJpbmclMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNkY3BjJTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNkMjNfTUFMX0lOT19IQ1BfVW5icmFuZGVkX0Rvc2luZyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNkRG9zaW5nJTJiJTI1N0MlMmJBZG1pbmlzdHJhdGlvbiUyYiUyNTdDJTJiUGhyYXNlJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM2RuaXRyaWMlMmJveGlkZSUyYmFkbWluaXN0cmF0aW9uJTI2Z2NsaWQlM2Q1MmFhNjkxMzA4ZGYxZWZkYzhlMjBmYzk4M2E0MWY1ZSUyNmdjbHNyYyUzZDNwLmRzJTI2&rlid=52aa691308df1efdc8e20fc983a41f5e">: Mayo Clinic </a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-caused-by-burns">3</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: WebMD </a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">1</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: MDPI </a><a href="https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-017-1782-2">2</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: Critical Care </a><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0290103">7</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: PLOS ONE </a><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/data-research/facts-stats/index.html">5</a><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4393">: CDC </a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00228-x">6</a>: Nature</p>