Phone: 0884-2944466,7416622540
vascularsurgeonkakinada@gmail.con
1st floor, D.No: 21-1-10, Jawahar Street, Opp Shravani ENT Hospital, Kakinada-533001.
Phone: 0884-2944466,7416622540
vascularsurgeonkakinada@gmail.con
1st floor, D.No: 21-1-10, Jawahar Street, Opp Shravani ENT Hospital, Kakinada-533001.
Gangrene happens when tissues in your body die after a loss of blood caused by illness, injury, or infection. It usually happens in extremities like fingers, toes, and limbs, but you can also get gangrene in your organs and muscles. There are different types of gangrene, and all of them need medical care right away.
Lack of blood supply.The blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the body. It also provides the immune system with antibodies to fight infections. Without a proper blood supply, cells can't survive, and tissue dies.
InfectionAn untreated bacterial infection can cause gangrene.
Traumatic injuryGunshot wounds or crushing injuries from car crashes can cause open wounds that let bacteria into the body. If the bacteria infect tissues and remain untreated, gangrene can occur.
Dry gangrene. This type of gangrene involves dry and shriveled skin that looks brown to purplish blue or black. Dry gangrene may develop slowly. It occurs most commonly in people who have diabetes or blood vessel disease, such as atherosclerosis.
Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as wet if bacteria have infected the tissue. Swelling, blistering and a wet appearance are common features of wet gangrene.
Wet gangrene may develop after a severe burn, frostbite or injury. It often occurs in people with diabetes who unknowingly injure a toe or foot. Wet gangrene needs to be treated immediately because it spreads quickly and can be deadly.
Gas gangrene. Gas gangrene typically affects deep muscle tissue. The surface of your skin may look normal at first.
As the condition worsens, the skin may become pale and then turn other colors such as gray or purplish red. The skin may look bubbly. It may make a crackling sound when you press on it because of the gas within the tissue.
Gas gangrene is most commonly caused by bacteria called Clostridium perfringens. Bacteria gather in an injury or surgical wound that has no blood supply. The bacterial infection produces toxins that release gas and cause tissue death. Like wet gangrene, gas gangrene is a life-threatening condition.
Internal gangrene.Internal gangrene affects one or more of the organs, such as the intestines, gallbladder or appendix. It occurs when blood flow to an internal organ is blocked. For example, it may happen if the intestines bulge through a weakened area of muscle in the stomach area (hernia) and become twisted. Left untreated, internal gangrene can be deadly.
Fournier's gangrene.This type of gangrene involves the genital organs. It usually affects men, but women also can get it. An infection in the genital area or urinary tract causes this type of gangrene.
Diabetes. High blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood vessels. Blood vessel damage can slow or block blood flow to a part of the body.
Blood vessel disease. Hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) and blood clots can block blood flow to an area of the body.
Severe injury or surgery. Any process that causes trauma to the skin and underlying tissue, including frostbite, increases the risk of gangrene. The risk is greater if you have an underlying condition that affects blood flow to the injured area.
Smoking. People who smoke have a higher risk of gangrene.
Obesity. Extra weight can push on arteries, slowing blood flow and increasing the risk of infection and poor wound healing.
Immunosuppression. Chemotherapy, radiation and certain infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can affect the body's ability to fight off infections.
Injections. Rarely, injectable drugs have been linked to infection with bacteria that cause gangrene.