Explanation and Causes:

Gangrene is a condition that is characterized by the death of an organ or body tissue. It is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

There are 3 types of Gangrene:

  • Dry Gangrene
  • Wet Gangrene
  • Gas Gangrene

All three of these can be caused by:

  • Serious injury
  • Diabetes
  • Blood vessel disease such arteriosclerosis
  • Surgery
  • Infection

Symptoms:

    General symptoms include:

  • Discoloration
  • Fever
  • Slothing off of the skin
  • Shiny appearance of the skin
  • Sometimes bad smelling discharge

Wet Gangrene:

  • Blood flow interruption
  • Spreads very quickly
  • From burns, clot or freezing injuries
  • Skin is bruised swollen and blistered

Dry Gangrene:

  • Blood flow interruption
  • Not usually associated with infection
  • Skin becomes dry, shriveled, and dark

Gas Gangrene:

  • Bacteria (Clostridia) enters a site of injury or of surgery
  • Rapidly destroys muscle tissue and surrounding tissue
  • Swelling in the dermis
  • First the skin turns pale then dark red then purple
  • Odorous discharge
  • Very painful

Diagnosis and Tests:

  • Blood tests
  • X-rays of the infected area
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • Testing of the discharge

Treatment:

  • Treat the underlying cause of the gangrene
  • Antibiotics if infection caused
  • Blood thinners to ease tension of interrupted blood flow
  • Cut away any infected skin
  • For gas gangrene–use of a hyperbaric chamber for oxygen therapy
  • Amputation if necessary to prevent the spread of the gangrene

Prevention:

Awning - Awnings, Retractable Awning, Motorized Awnings, Sunbrella Fabric Awnings. Industry Leader in Retractable Fabric Awnings Motorized by SOMFY. 100% American manufactured Awnings with 15 year warrantee.

Seattle Granite Countertops - Estone has one of the most comprehensive selections of imported stone in town serving Greater Seattle, Bellevue, and Puget Sound areas. We have different selections of fine granite and marble countertops tiles for your homes or offices.

Business Phone Systems - Refurbished Business Phone Systems, Business Phone equipment replacement with one year warrantee. We buy and sell small business phone systems, 1 to 100 business phone systems.

SEO UK - We Know You Need More Visitors, More Customers, More Conversions & More Sales - So Contact PureOnlineGenius.com - The Internet Marketing Experts For Nothing But Results! - The UK SEO Specialists.

Canada Fishing Charter - Experience heart-pounding Canadian Sportfishing action. Master Guide with thirty years experience gives all out effort. Pinpoints the best time and place to fish.

Colorado Water Rights; Buy, Sell, or Rent - Buy, Sell or Rent Colorado water rights with Water Colorado LLC. We help customers find the best land and resources to buy, sell, or rent Colorado Water Rights.

Share this entry:
 These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Fark
  • Furl
  • Twitter