Gangrene!!

Serious!!!

Gangrene

Gangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies (necrosis) Gangrene is a medical term used to describe the death of an area of the body. It develops when the blood supply is cut off to the affected part as a result of various processes, such as infection, vascular (pertaining to blood vessels) disease, ortrauma. Gangrene can involve any part of the body; the most common sites include the toes, fingers, feet, and hands. Diabetes and long-term smoking increase the risk of suffering from gangrene

Causes

Gangrene is caused by infection or ischemia such as by the bacteria Clostridium perfringes or by thrombosis. It is usually the result of critically insufficient blood supply (e.g. peripheral vascular disease) and is often associated with diabetes and long-term smoking. This condition is most common in the lower extrimities. The best treatment for gangrene is (revascularization), restoration of blood flow of the affected organ, which can reverse some of the effects of necrosis and allow healing. Other treatments include debridement and surgical amputation. The method of treatment is, in general, determined depending on location of affected tissue and extent of tissue loss. Gangrene may appear as one effect of foot binding.

The following conditions are risk factors for the development of gangrene:

• Injury or trauma, such as a crush injury, a severe burn, or frostbite
• Diseases that affect the circulation of blood, such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, smoking, or Raynaud's disease
• Infection of wounds

Two major types of gangrene exist:

• Dry gangrene is caused by a reduction of blood flow through the arteries. It appears gradually and progresses slowly. In most people, the affected part does not become infected. In this type of gangrene, the tissue becomes cold and black, begins to dry, and eventually sloughs off. Dry gangrene is commonly seen in people with blockage of arteries (arterisclerosis) resulting from increased cholesterol levels, diabetes, cigaratte smoking, and genetic and other factors.
• Wet or moist gangrene develops as a complication of an untreated infected wound. Swelling resulting from the bacterial infection causes a sudden stoppage of blood flow. Cessation of blood flow facilitates invasion of the muscles by the bacteria and multiplication of the bacteria because disease-fighting cells (white blood cells) cannot reach the affected part.
• Gas gangrene is a type of wet gangrene caused by the bacteria known as Clostridia. Clostridia are a type of infection-causing bacteria that grow only in the absence of oxygen. As Clostridia grow, they produce poisonous toxins and gas; therefore, the condition is called gas gangrene. A gas composition of 5.9% hydrogen, 3.4% carbon dioxide, 74.5% nitrogen, and 16.1% oxygen was reported in one clinical case

Gangrene Treatment

Medical Treatment

People with gangrene require urgent assessment and treatment to prevent the spread of gangrene. Antibiotics and surgery are the primary treatments and have been proven very effective. Hospitalization is necessary for treatment.

Dry gangrene: Because the cause of dry gangrene is a lack of blood flow, restoring the blood supply is vital. Assessment by a vascular surgeon can help determine whether surgical intervention to restore blood supply would be beneficial.

Wet gangrene: Surgical debridement (removal of dead tissue) of the wound is performed, and intravenous antibiotics are administered to control the infection.

Gas gangrene: This condition needs to be treated aggressively because of the threat of the infection rapidly spreading via the bloodstream and damaging vital organs. The wound requires immediate debridement. Antibiotics are administered to the affected person.

Gangrene Symptoms

• Dry gangrene:
  
  
  • The affected area becomes cold and numb
  • Initially, the affected area becomes red.
  • Then, it develops a brown discoloration.
  • Finally, it becomes black and shriveled.
  
  
• Wet or moist gangrene:
  
  
  • The affected area becomes swollen and decays.
  • It is extremely painful.
  • Local oozing occurs.
  • It produces a foul-smelling odor.
  • It becomes black.
  • The affected person develops a fever.
  
  
• Gas gangrene:
  
  
  • The wound is infected.
  • A brown-red or bloody discharge may ooze from the affected tissues.
  • Gas produced by Clostridia may produce a crackling sensation when the affected area is pressed.
  • It becomes swollen.
  • Pain in the affected area is severe.
  • The affected person develops fever, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing if the toxins spread into the bloodstream.