When your body tissues die because it is not getting the nutrients from the bodys blood supply

gangrene occurs. This is called necrosis of the tissues, or death of the tissues. The lack of blood supply could have been caused by an injury, an infection, and/or the complication of a long-term chronic disease like diabetes. Usually gangrene will happen in fingers, toes, arms or legs places farthest from our heart, and more likely to become injured. However, gangrene can also occur inside our bodies and in our internal organs.

What is gangrene?

Types of gangrene?
There are four main types of gangrene; 1. Dry This type is typically caused by lack or stop of blood flow for example when a blood vessel is blocked. This happens with older people who may have atherosclerosis or their blood vessels are no long working. Tissue is starved of the blood it needs and will die, turning black much like mummies look. This type is also common with diabetic people as well because if their diabetes is not well managed the blood flow to their extremities especially can become weak and impaired. 2. Wet This type usually develops from an injury, sore, or burn where the wound is open or blistered and is wet. For example frostbite if not cared for will blister and become wet as well as a burn from a fire. A diabetic may have cut their foot and not known it and gangrene could set in because of the open wet wound site which is perfect for bacteria to live in if not cleaned and treated carefully. People in nursing homes can also get this type from bed sores if they are not take care of carefully and quickly. If wet gangrene is not treated swiftly it can spread fast and can be fatal. 3. Gas Gas gangrene is usually seen with internal injuries and surgical repairs. The skin outside looks normal, but eventually may discolor and possible develop a blister due to the pressure within the muscles and tissues caused by the gas buildup within them. Some report the skin may sound crackly when touched because of the gas underneath. The gas begins building because the clostridium perfringens bacteria a spore producing bacteria begins an infection. This bacterium is naturally found in our intestines and in nature, and it loves to grow in warm conditions with very little oxygen. This bacterium produces gas as it grows and can also be fatal if not treated. 4. Internal This will usually occur within your body and with an organ that has lost blood supply, for example a hernia where the muscle wall has a hole in it and the intestine can poke through cutting off the blood supply to that area and causing internal gangrene. If not treated this infection can spread throughout your body and be fatal.

What causes gangrene?

The cells in our body must have oxygen and nutrients from our blood to survive. If the blood is not able to get to those cells and provide the necessary food to all of the cells in the body, the cells that are not receiving these nutrients will become damaged and eventually die. Also, cells that become damaged via accident, injury, virus, or other invading organism have even less chance because if blood supply is not reaching these cells they will not get the nutrients and oxygen, but more importantly will not get the white blood cells that are needed to help fight off the bacteria and invading organisms. This environment is perfect for gangrene to begin.

What are the symptoms of gangrene?

Both wet and dry gangrene will usually have a red line on the skin defining the mark between where the good tissue and gangrene tissue meet up. As the tissues continue to die and begin rotting, there may be less sensation in the skin and/or some pain as well. Soon the area will become cold, numb, and pale, and then begin changing color from brown to black because of the oxidation and death of the tissue and red blood cells. With gas gangrene there is a sense of heaviness in the affected area due to the swelling and fluid building up with the bacteria growth. This is usually accompanied by severe pain and the skin may get blisters or feel warm before it actually turns brown then black. This can happen in wet gangrene as well however wet gangrene will produce and ooze foul smelling pus, while gas gangrene may leak from the skin a sweet smelling watery discharge.

How is gangrene diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical examination as well as blood and other lab tests. They may also take a sample from the affected area and/or discharge and run tests to find out more about the specific infection that is occurring in the area. Typically a person with gangrene will have little or no white cells and a Gram Stain is used to verify the presence of purple Gram Stained/Gram positive rod-shaped bacteria. X-rays or other imaging may also be used especially if gas or internal gangrene is suspected because it may make muscle death or the extent of it more visible; however, these tests alone will not complete the diagnosis. Surgical exploration may be needed for internal or gas gangrene so they can view the organ or muscles directly. Muscles may appear very red or even black. If the muscle is affected it will not contract when stimulated and likely will not even bleed when cut.

What is the cure or treatment for gangrene?

One or a combination of the treatments below may be used. 1. Surgery Surgical removal (debridement) of dead tissue can stop the bacteria from spreading, which can be removal of large portions of tissue including amputation of fingers, toes, and entire limbs. 2. Hyperbaric people sit or lay in a pressurized tube where 100% oxygen can be delivered to them to speed healing 3. Antibiotics typically given intravenously to help fight infections 4. Maggot Therapy maggots are placed on the wound to eat dead tissues away 5. Imaging Radiologists specializing in angiography (x-ray type examination of arteries and veins), may use this method to deliver drugs directly to the affected area to dissolve blood clots or relax arteries so blood flow may be restored. 6. Blood Transfusions These may be used to speed up the healing processes by getting clean blood flowing to the affected areas.

How can I prevent gangrene?

1. Extremity care especially of the feet for people with diabetes. Look for cuts, sores, or signs of infection often and if found clean them and keep them clean and treated with an antibiotic until they are healed. 2. Dont Smoke smoking damages blood vessels and raises your risks 3. Be Diligent with your Wounds carefully clean, dress, and treat your wounds keeping them covered until they are completely healed. 4. Be Safe watch for frostbite, use safety equipment when around fires and cooking.

Are there risk factors for certain people?

Age is a risk; older people are less often less healthy and have issues that restrict blood flow. Diabetes is also a large risk because of the many complications of this chronic disease. High blood sugar levels will often damage nerves and it can be easy to cut your foot if your sense of feeling has been lowered by damaged nerves and you may not even be aware of the injury. Left untreated it could lead to gangrene with lowered blood supply and more opportunity for gangrene to begin. Vascular disease and smoking are also risk factors because they restrict blood flow to the body. A weakened immune system or someone with a long-term chronic disease must also be on the alert because they are at higher risk of infections. Surgery or injury is probably the most common risk factor because it leaves an open wound in the body for infection and bacteria to attack.

When should I see my doctor?

Most normal healthy people will not have to worry too much about getting gangrene. However, if you are someone that has risk factors or a chronic condition that my lower your ability to fight infections you should be alert to your wounds and treat them quickly and carefully until healed. However, if you do see red lines on your skin, or you have redness and/or pain surrounding a wound please be sure and see your doctor.