Gangrene - UK Health Insurance

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[Gangrene] [Glandular Fever]

GANGRENE

Gangrene is the death and putrefaction of tissue of any body part due to a loss of blood supply. It's a serious condition that requires immediate medical care.

TYPE OF DISEASE:

The various types of gangrene are: dry, wet, gas, and internal gangrene. Dry gangrene is caused by inadequate blood supply through the arteries such as atherosclerosis or blood clots. The affected tissue becomes shriveled, dry and dark and it generally does not cause infection. In wet gangrene the affected tissue may get infected with bacteria causing blisters and swelling. Gas gangrene usually occurs due to clostridium bacterial infection which destroys the affected tissue. Internal gangrene interrupts blood flow to abdominal organs causing severe pain and fever.

 

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of gangrene depend on the location and cause of the gangrene. They are:

• Coldness
• Redness
• Black, red, blue, or bronze discoloration
• Severe pain
• Loss of sensation
• Fever
• Local blackening
• Foul smelling discharge
• Gas in tissues below the skin
• Malaise
• Septic shock

 

AFFECTED AREA:

Any part of the human body can be affected by gangrene.

CAUSES:

The various possible causes of gangrene are diabetes, frostbite, surgery, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, serious injury, bacterial infection, or wound infection.

RISK TO OTHERS:

Any person is at a higher risk of gangrene if he (or she) is suffering from diabetes, immuno suppression, or blood vessel disease, such as arteriosclerosis. A serious injury or any surgical procedure can also put you at a higher risk of having gangrene.

 

RISK TO SUFFERER:

Depending on the extent of damage caused to the affected part by gangrene, complications include: tissue death, amputation, blood poisoning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, septic shock, disability, and need for skin grafting. Delay in treatment can also lead to death of the patient.

TREATMENT:

Prompt diagnosis and treatment is required in gangrene. The treatment is determined by the underlying cause. No treatment can revive a dead tissue, hence surgery or amputation of the affected part is necessary to allow healing and prevent further infection. Sometimes repeated surgeries are required to remove dead tissues. A course of antibiotics is administered. Antitoxin and penicillin may also be used.