GANGRENE

Gangrene :-

Definition :-

Death of the tissue due to lack of blood supply or severe bacterial infection can be termed as a gangrene .
Gangrene is a combination of necrosis and putrification ( necrosis mainly coagulative and liquifactive necrosis ) .

Causes :- There are two main causes because of which gangrene occurs they are :

Sudden cessation of blood supply
Bacterial infection
Smoking
Peripheral artery disease
Rynauds phenomenon - this is a disese in which there will be decreased blood flow to the fingers or the peripheries in cold conditions .
Obesity and etc...

Types :- There are two main types of gangrene they are :

Dry gangrene -

This is a gangrene caused due to arterio occlusion ( means occlusion or blockage of the arteries ) .
Example : gangrene in the limbs of a old patient due to severe atherosclerosis ( means blockage or obstruction to the flow of blood in the arteries ) .
Characteristics - dark , dry , less bacteria , less putrification , less smell , line of demarcation present .

2.Wet gangrene -

This is type of gangrene which is caused due to venule occlusion ( blockage of veins ) .
Example : Diabetic foot and bed sores in bed riiden patients due to pressure on the sites like buttocks , sacrum and heel .
Characteristics - moist , soft , dark , more bacteria , more smell , more putrification , no line of demarcation .

Symptoms :-

Fever
Chills
Pain in the area may or may not be there .
Pus is foul smelling in wet gangrene
There is some crackling sound from the skin when pressure is applied
Loss of sensation in that area .
Cold pale skin, but swollen red skin in the affected area .
Increased heart rate .
Dizzines
Rapid breathing and etc.....

Diagnosis :-

Can be done by examination of skin , then
Blood examinatin to check for any infections
Using culture media to know the bacteria involved to give best antibiotic for treatment .

Treatment and management :-

Restoration of the blood flow
Removal of the infected area
Prevent spread of the infection
Using hyperbaric oxygen therapy - increased oxygen concentration in the body leading to healing of the cells damaged and also decrease in the bacterial spread .

Comments