Gangrene (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
*If [[numbness]] is felt on the [[fingers]] or [[toes]], a visit to the [[doctor]] should be done right away. | *If [[numbness]] is felt on the [[fingers]] or [[toes]], a visit to the [[doctor]] should be done right away. | ||
*Non- | *[[Non-healing]] [[wounds]] or any [[skin changes]] on the [[foot]] in a [[patient]] with [[diabetes]] should be evaluated as soon as possible. | ||
*After [[surgery]], if the [[patient]] experiences worsening [[pain]] or [[skin]] color changes on the affected area, or if the patient starts to feel [[sick]], an urgent visit to the [[doctor]] is needed. | *After [[surgery]], if the [[patient]] experiences worsening [[pain]] or [[skin]] color changes on the affected area, or if the patient starts to feel [[sick]], an urgent visit to the [[doctor]] is needed. | ||
Revision as of 12:29, 29 March 2022
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Gangrene |
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Gangrene On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Shivali Marketkar, M.B.B.S. [2]; Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.
Overview
- Gangrene is the death of tissue in part of the body due to lack of blood supply.
- It is an alarming and life-threatening condition.
- There are various types of gangrene.
- Dry gangrene - The tissue gets dry and falls off. This is commonly observed on the fingers and toes.
- Wet gangrene - The tissue looks swollen and with some blisters.
- Gas gangrene - The tissue gets infected with bacteria causing build-up of gas bubbles within it.
What are the symptoms of Gangrene?
- Symptoms differ according to the type of gangrene present.
- Dry Gangrene symptoms include:
- Dry and hard skin and tissue.
- Color changes in the skin, which can look either very dark or very pale.
- Colder temperature of the skin.
- Wet Gangrene symptoms include:
- Gas Gangrene symptoms include:
- Dry Gangrene symptoms include:
What causes Gangrene?
Diagnosis
- The type of test needed is based on the type of gangrene the patient has.
- Diagnostic tests that are usually done include:
- Imaging tests such as computed tomography scan (CT scan), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for signs of gas inside the body.
- Blood tests to look for signs of infection.
- Blood flow tests to detect the source of problems in the blood vessels and identify its severity.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- If numbness is felt on the fingers or toes, a visit to the doctor should be done right away.
- Non-healing wounds or any skin changes on the foot in a patient with diabetes should be evaluated as soon as possible.
- After surgery, if the patient experiences worsening pain or skin color changes on the affected area, or if the patient starts to feel sick, an urgent visit to the doctor is needed.
Treatment options
- Cutting away of dying or dead tissues to prevent spreading of gangrene.
- Amputation - A type of surgery wherein removal of the body parts affected with gangrene is done.
- Intravenous antibiotic medications
Where to find medical care for Gangrene?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Gangrene