Posted on March 23, 2008 in Latest News
Gangrene is a medical term which is used to refer to a part of the body which degerates/dies due to stoppage of blood supply to that area. This is caused by a variety of reasons including bacterial infection of an open sore or ulceration, vascular (pertaining to blood vessels) disease, or trauma.
Gangrene can involve any part of the body; the most common sites include the toes, fingers, feet, and hands. The most common form of gangrene develops in the feet of people with diabetes who also have associated loss of circulation in the feet and toes.
A sudden onset of pain in the feet or legs associated with a decrease in skin temperature, and colour changes to the skin of the feet is a strong indication that there has been a sudden blockage of blood flow to the legs. This condition needs immediate medical attention.
Types of gangrene
Dry gangrene: Dry gangrene often occurs in the toes and feet of elderly patients due to arteriosclerosis and spreads slowly until it reaches the point where the blood supply is inadequate to keep tissue viable. Macroscopically, the affected part is dry, shrunken and dark black, resembling mummified flesh.
Wet gangrene: Wet gangrene targets the moist areas of the body including the mouth, bowels, lungs, cervix and vulva. It appears gradually and progresses slower as compared to dry gangrene. The affected part is saturated with stagnant blood and therefore is prone to bacterial infection.
Gas gangrene: Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas within tissues. Gas gangrene is caused by exotoxin-producing clostridial species, which are mostly found in soil and other anaerobes (e.g. Bacteroides and anaerobic streptococci). These environmental bacteria may enter the muscle through a wound and subsequently proliferate in necrotic tissue and secrete powerful toxins. These toxins destroy nearby tissue, generating gas at the same time. Because of its ability to quickly spread to surrounding tissues, gas gangrene should be treated as a medical emergency.
Treatment
Treatment consists of surgical removal of the gangrene, surgery to improve the circulation (by-pass surgery), hyperbaric oxygen treatment and IV antibiotics.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used to treat gas gangrene. Under increased pressure and increased oxygen content, your blood is able to carry greater amounts of oxygen. Other treatments for gangrene may include supportive care, including fluids, nutrients, and pain medication to relieve your discomfort.
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