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| ==What are the symptoms of Gangrene?== | | ==What are the symptoms of Gangrene?== |
| The symptoms depend on the location and cause of the gangrene. If the skin is involved, or the gangrene is close to the skin, the symptoms may include:
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| *Discoloration (blue or black if skin is affected; red or bronze if the affected area is beneath the skin)
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| *Foul-smelling discharge
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| *Loss of feeling in the area (which may happen after severe pain in the area)
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| If the affected area is inside the body (such as gangrene of the gallbladder or gas gangrene), the symptoms may include:
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| *[[Confusion]]
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| *[[Fever]]
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| *[[Gas]] in tissues beneath the skin
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| *General ill feeling
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| *[[Low blood pressure]]
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| *Persistent or severe [[pain]]
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| ==What causes Gangrene?== | | ==What causes Gangrene?== |
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| Gangrene happens when a body part loses its blood supply. This may happen from injury, an [[infection]], or other causes.
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| ==Who is at highest risk?==
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| *You have a higher risk for gangrene if you have:
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| *A serious [[injury]]
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| *[[Blood vessel]] disease (such as [[arteriosclerosis]], also called hardening of the arteries, in your arms or legs)
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| *[[Diabetes]]
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| *Suppressed [[immune system]] (for example, from [[HIV]] or [[chemotherapy]])
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| *[[Surgery]]
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| ==Diagnosis== | | ==Diagnosis== |
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| *The doctor may diagnose gangrene from a physical examination. In addition, the following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose gangrene:
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| *Arteriogram (special x-ray to see any blockages in the blood vessels) to help plan treatment for blood vessel disease
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| *Blood tests (white blood cell [WBC] count may be high)
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| *[[CT scan]] to examine internal organs
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| *Culture of the tissue or fluid from wounds to identify bacterial infection
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| *Examining tissue under the [[microscope]] to look for cell death
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| *Surgery to find and remove dead tissue
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| *[[X-rays]]
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| ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== |
| Call your doctor immediately if:
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| *A [[wound]] does not heal or there are frequent [[sore]]s in an area
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| *An area of your [[skin]] turns blue or black
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| *There is foul-smelling discharge from any wound on your body
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| *You have persistent, unexplained pain in an area
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| *You have persistent, unexplained fever
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| ==Treatment options== | | ==Treatment options== |
| Gangrene requires urgent evaluation and treatment. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing of the surrounding living tissue and prevent further infection. Depending on the area that has the gangrene, the person's overall condition, and the cause of the gangrene, treatment may include:
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| *Amputating the body part that has gangrene
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| *An emergency operation to find and remove dead tissue
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| *An operation to improve blood supply to the area
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| *[[Antibiotics]]
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| *Repeated operations to remove dead tissue ([[debridement]])
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| *Treatment in the intensive care unit (for severely ill patients)
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| ==Where to find medical care for Gangrene?== | | ==Where to find medical care for Gangrene?== |
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| ==Prevention== | | ==Prevention== |
| Gangrene may be prevented if it is treated before the tissue damage is irreversible. Wounds should be treated properly and watched carefully for signs of infection (such as spreading redness, swelling, or drainage) or failure to heal.
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| People with diabetes or blood vessel disease should routinely examine their feet for any signs of injury, infection, or change in skin color and seek care as needed.
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| ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== |
| What to expect depends on where the gangrene is in the body, how much gangrene there is, and the person's overall condition. If treatment is delayed, the gangrene is extensive, or the person has other significant medical problems, they may die.
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| ==Possible complications== | | ==Possible complications== |
| Complications depend on where in the body the gangrene is, how much gangrene there is, the cause of the gangrene, and the person's overall condition. Complications can include:
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| Disability from [[amputation]] or removal of dead tissue
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| Prolonged wound healing or the need for reconstructive surgery, such as [[skin grafting]]
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
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