healing
(hēl'ing 
)
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.
SEE: illus.
aboriginal h.1Shamanism.2Health practices of native or indigenous peoples within a geographic region, which often include folk and animistic elements. In Canada, the term pertains to specific governmental efforts to address health issues of indigenous or First Nations peoples.
faith h.Healing from illness attributed to the agency of a divine being or power, usually through a variety of spiritual practices such as prayer, laying on of hand s, or anointing with oil.
h. by first intention A process that closes the edge of a wound with little or no inflammatory reaction and in such a manner that little or no scar is left to reveal the site of the injury. New cells are formed to take the place of dead ones, and the capillary walls stretch across the wound to join themselves to each other in a smooth surface. New connective tissue may form an almost imperceptible but temporary scar. In repairing lacerations and surgical wounds, the goal is to produce a repaired area that will heal by first intention.
h. by second intention Healing by granulation or indirect union. Granulation tissue is formed to fill the gap between the edges of the wound with a thin layer of fibrinous exudate. Granulation tissue also excludes bacteria from the wound and brings new blood vessels to the injured part. Healing by second intention takes longer than healing by primary intention and typically results in the formation of a prominent scar; wounds that heal by second intention show signs of failure if the wound loses the normal red-gray appearance of granulation tissue and becomes pale, dry, or insubstantial. When granulations first form at the top instead of the bottom of the wound, the base of the wound may have to be kept open with wicks or drains to promote healthy tissue repair.
h. by third intention Delayed wound healing that occurs in the base of ulcerated or cavitary wounds, esp. those that have become infected. The wound fills very slowly with granulation tissue and often forms a large scar. Wound revision surgery, including use of grafting, may be needed.