ABOUT THE DISEASE
Gangrene is a term used to refer to the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. It can affect any part of the body, including internal organs and muscles, but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands (the extremities).
It is of two types -
Dry gangrene: caused by disruption to the flow of blood (e.g. Diabetes, atherosclerosis) to certain body parts; most commonly the toes and feet.
Wet gangrene: when a serious injury, a burn or frostbite becomes infected by bacteria.
SYMPTOMS
If affected area is close to the skin:
- • The tissue area changes colour, such as turning red to brown to black
- • A loss of sensation in the affected area, mostly happens after causing severe pain
- • The affected tissue develops black blisters and begins producing a foul-smelling pus
If the affected area is inside the body such as gallbladder or gas gangrene, the symptoms might include:
- • Confusion
- • Fever
- • Gas in tissues beneath the skin
- • General ill feeling
- • Low blood pressure
- • Severe pain
CAUSES
Gangrene can occur as a result of an injury, infection or a long-term condition that affects blood circulation such as diabetes or atherosclerosis.
DIAGNOSIS
- Physical examination
- X-Ray
- Blood Tests
- CT Scan to examine internal organs
TREATMENT METHODS
Gangrene requires urgent treatment, if not treated in time it can even turn fatal. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing of the surrounding living tissue and prevent further infection. Depending on the area that has the gangrene, the person`s overall condition, and the cause of the gangrene, treatment may include:
- • Amputation of the body part that has gangrene
- • An emergency operation to find and remove dead tissue
- • An operation to improve blood supply to the area
- • Antibiotics
- • Repeated operations to remove dead tissue (debridement)
- • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as for gas gangrene
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