¿Necesitas una certificación?
Queremos que se sienta seguro de que está recibiendo la mejor capacitación. Por lo tanto, Sports First Aid Level 3 (VTQ) está totalmente disponible para que lo veas. Si necesita un certificado de trabajo, regístrese para obtener una cuenta hoy para guardar su progreso.
When the body is cut, it starts to repair injuries within 24 hours, but it is between 48 and 72 hours and can be up to 21 days before the repair is fully carried out. The clotting mechanism in the blood seals the torn blood vessels, so blood plasmas cannot escape into the tissues around the injury. This is important because blood plasma is needed when moving nutrients around the bloodstream. And it is needed to transport white blood cells which fight infection around the injury, so it can continue to repair. Blood clots form when the skin breaks, and the blood clot is to stop the bleeding. Healing happens in three different mechanisms. The first is vascular spasm. This is when the smooth muscle in the blood vessel's walls contracts as soon as the vessel is broken. This slows the bleeding while other mechanisms become active. The next mechanism is platelet plug formation. This is when the blood platelets become sticky and find a damaged vessel and form a type of plug to help close the gap in the broken blood vessels. However, this is only temporary and does not last long, but it does last long enough for the third mechanism. The third mechanism is coagulation. Once the blood comes to the surface and leaves the blood vessels, it thickens and becomes a texture similar to a gel. This is coagulation. Blood clotting is actually when blood becomes solid. This happens when the temporary plug meets the clotting factors from the blood. This forms a web of fibres and it becomes a clot. Fibrin is a mesh found in blood, and there are a web of clotting factors, including enzymes, calcium ions, and platelets. Once this has formed, there are other cells, such as white blood cells, which fight infection and reinforce the clot, so it completely stops the bleeding. As the healing process begins, the immediate effects of the injury start to feel better. This healing process is the absorption of the swelling, removal of the debris and blood clots, known as the Pacman effect because of the way it removes waste products, growth of new blood capillaries to transport blood to the area and finally, development of initial fibrous scar tissue. After the first 12 hours since the injury occurred and in the next four days, the cells become active and the new capillary blood vessels form. They slowly grow and establish new blood circulation in the area. If this did not happen, the injury would not heal because it must have a new supply of blood to repair the damaged tissues. As there is new circulation around the area, the blood supply can take away the dead tissue cells and the first blood clot that was formed is also cleared. The tissue that was damaged gets repaired by scar tissue, which is the fibrous scar tissue that surrounds the injury.
Understanding the Body's Healing Process: A Comprehensive Guide
The Body's Natural Healing Timeline
When the body sustains an injury, it initiates the healing process within 24 hours. However, full repair can take between 48 and 72 hours and, in some cases, up to 21 days.
Crucial Role of Blood Clotting
The body's clotting mechanism plays a vital role in the healing process:
- Sealing Blood Vessels: Blood clotting seals torn blood vessels, preventing blood plasma from escaping into surrounding tissues. This plasma is essential for transporting nutrients and infection-fighting white blood cells to the injury site.
- Temporary Blood Clots: Blood clots form when the skin is breached, effectively stopping the bleeding.
The Three Phases of Healing
Healing unfolds through three distinct mechanisms:
- Vascular Spasm: Smooth muscle in blood vessel walls contracts immediately upon vessel damage, slowing bleeding while other mechanisms activate.
- Platelet Plug Formation: Blood platelets become adhesive, locating damaged vessels and forming a temporary plug to aid in sealing broken blood vessels.
- Coagulation: Blood thickens as it surfaces and leaves blood vessels, creating a gel-like texture through coagulation.
The Process of Blood Clotting
Blood clotting involves the transformation of liquid blood into a solid state:
- Clot Formation: The temporary plug interacts with clotting factors, forming a web of fibres that constitutes a clot. This process includes fibrin mesh, clotting factors, enzymes, calcium ions, and platelets.
- Clot Reinforcement: Other cells, such as white blood cells, contribute to fighting infection and strengthening the clot, ensuring complete cessation of bleeding.
Early Healing Stages
The initial healing stages bring relief and include:
- Reduction of Swelling: The healing process commences with the absorption of swelling.
- Debris and Clot Removal (Pacman Effect): Waste products, including blood clots and debris, are cleared.
- Growth of New Blood Capillaries: New capillaries form, establishing blood circulation in the injured area, a vital step for tissue repair.
- Development of Initial Scar Tissue: Fibrous scar tissue begins to envelop the injury.
Active Cell Phase
Between 12 hours and four days following the injury, cells become active:
- New Blood Circulation: Active cell phases lead to the growth of new capillary blood vessels that gradually restore blood circulation to the injured area.
- Removal of Dead Tissue and Clots: The renewed blood supply enables the removal of dead tissue cells and the initial blood clot.
- Formation of Scar Tissue: Scar tissue, in the form of fibrous tissue, plays a critical role in repairing damaged tissues.