healing

(hēl′ing )

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The restoration to a normal mental or physical condition, esp. of an inflammation or a wound. In skin lesions, regrowth of epithelial tissues also occurs. The many processes involved in the healing of a wound take 3 weeks or more to complete. Many factors may delay tissue healing, including malnutrition, wound infection, and coexisting conditions, e.g., diabetes mellitus, advanced age, tobacco abuse, cancer; as well as the use of several drugs, including corticosteroids.

WOUND HEALING

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