| General
Illness Information |
Medical
Term: |
GANGRENE |
|
Common
Name: |
None Specified |
| Description: |
Gangrene is dead or necrotic tissue
and it is usually followed by infection.. Gangrene develops when the
blood supply to an affected part is cut off because of various
factors including infection, vascular disease or trauma. It can
involve any body part, but the commonest sites are the extremities.
Can be most dangerous when gangrene affects the intestines or
stomach.
Gangrene results from an infection caused by
clostridia and sometimes by other bacteria. Clostridia are a
type of bacteria called anaerobic bacteria, which grow only in the
absence of oxygen. Clostridia produce gas as they grow, so the
infection is sometimes called gas gangrene.
There are two types of gangrene: Dry gangrene -
without bacterial infection and wet gangrene - with bacterial
infection. Gas gangrene is a form of wet gangrene.
|
| Causes: |
Gangrene is caused by interruption of
blood supply to an area which causes necrosis (tissue death)
and this is usually followed by a bacterial infection. Causes of
gangrene are as follows: Trauma caused by accident or surgery or
crash injury; Blood clot in an artery.; Hardening of
arteries; Severe frostbite.
|
| Prevention: |
Gangrene may be prevented by taking the
following precautions: 1) Seek medical advice for signs of infection
(warmth, swelling, redness, pain or tenderness) in a skin injury.
2)Avoid trauma. 3) If you have diabetes, adhere closely to
your treatment program to control diabetes. Examine your feet often
for signs of unhealthy tissue. Keep your nails trimmed. Wear
comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
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| Signs
& Symptoms |
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|
| Risk
Factors |
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| Diagnosis & Treatment |
| Diagnosis of gangrene is often made from the clinical
presentation. Tests such as x-rays, computerized tomography
(CT) , and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help determine
the amount of gas and the extent of tissue damage. Other
laboratory tests include blood work and culture
and sensitivity test of the fluid samples from the
wound. |
| General
Measures: |
 |
Hospitalization is necessary for
treatment. |
|
Efforts must be made to improve circulation
to impaired area. |
|
Surgery to remove dead tissue, sometimes by
amputation. | |
| Medications: |
|
Antibiotics usually intravenously
in the early stages to fight infection. |
|
Pain relievers. |
|
Anticoagulants to prevent blood
clotting. | |
| Activity: |
|
Rest in bed until gangrene stops progressing and
healing begins. Then resume activity gradually. Physical
therapy, if amputation is
necessary. | |
| Diet: |
|
Eat a high-protein, high-calorie
diet while your body is repairing damaged tissue (except in
diabetes). |
|
Take vitamin and mineral
supplements, including zinc. |
|
Drink adequate fluids (6 to 8
glasses daily). | |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Blood poisoning. |
|
Shock. |
|
DIC (disseminated intravascular
coagulation), a blood-clotting disorder. |
|
Limb amputation to prevent
death. | |
| Prognosis |
| Usually curable in the
early stages with antibiotic treatment and surgery to remove
dead tissue. Without treatment, gangrene may lead to fatal
infection | |
| Other |
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