Understanding Gangrene: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Types

Gangrene is a serious medical condition characterised by tissue death with a high mortality rate. It can affect any part of your body, leading to severe complications if left untreated. So, let's know how you prevent gangrene and what exactly causes gangrene.

What is Gangrene?

Gangrene is a condition which occurs when tissues in your body die due to a lack of blood supply, a condition known as ischemia. Without adequate blood supply, tissues cannot survive, resulting in gangrene.

What are the Types of Gangrene?

There are several gangrene types. They are:

• Dry Gangrene: Typically occurs when blood flow to the affected area is obstructed without significant bacterial infection. The affected tissue becomes dry, shrinks, and darkens in colour.
• Wet Gangrene: This gangrene type occurs when there is a bacterial infection alongside the lack of blood supply. It results in swelling, blistering, and tissue decay, with a foul odour due to bacterial decomposition.
• Gas Gangrene: Caused by bacterial infection with organisms such as Clostridium perfringens, gas gangrene leads to the release of gases within tissues, causing swelling, discolouration, and severe pain. Due to this gas accumulation, the affected area may produce a crackling sensation upon palpation.
• Internal Gangrene: Unlike the other gangrene types, internal gangrene affects internal organs or tissues. It can occur due to conditions such as bowel obstruction, strangulated hernia, or arterial occlusion, leading to tissue death within the affected organ.
• Fournier's Gangrene: It is a rare but severe form of gangrene that affects your genital and perineal regions.

What are the Symptoms of Gangrene?

Gangrene symptoms vary depending on the type, severity and gangrene causes. Common gangrene symptoms include:

• Discolouration of the affected area, ranging from pale to blue, black, or bronze
• Severe pain or numbness in the affected area
• Swelling, blisters, or a foul-smelling discharge
• Ulcers or sores that fail to heal
• Skin that appears shiny and stretched
• Systemic gangrene symptoms include fever, rapid heart rate, and confusion in severe cases

How Do You Diagnose Gangrene?

Diagnosing gangrene typically involves a combination of a medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

• Your doctor will assess gangrene signs such as skin discolouration, pain, and tissue changes.
• He may also evaluate your medical history, including any underlying conditions like diabetes or vascular diseases.
• Diagnostic tests may include imaging studies, blood tests, and bacterial culture tests to check for infection in the blood.

Who’s at Risk for Developing Gangrene?

Several factors increase the risk of developing gangrene:

• If you have conditions affecting blood flow, such as diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or atherosclerosis, you will be at higher risk of gangrene due to compromised circulation.
• Injuries due to major accidents that cause severe tissue damage can also lead to gangrene.
• People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or with HIV/AIDS, are more susceptible to infections that can result in gangrene.
• Additionally, if you have a history of smoking, obesity, or chronic health conditions like kidney disease or hypertension, you may have an elevated risk of gangrene.

How Does a Person Get Gangrene?

Usually, severe injury from accidents or surgical complications creates open wounds through which bacteria can enter the body. If these bacteria infect tissues and are not treated promptly, gangrene may develop, leading to oxygen and nutrient deprivation of the tissues and, eventually, causing tissue death.

What Tests Diagnose Gangrene?

Some common tests for gangrene detection include the following:

• X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to assess blood flow and identify tissue damage. These imaging techniques help determine the extent of tissue involvement and aid in treatment planning.
• Blood tests, including Complete Blood Count (CBC) and blood cultures, are conducted to evaluate for signs of infection, such as elevated white blood cell count or the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
• Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow through arteries and veins, helping to identify any blockages or impaired circulation contributing to gangrene development.
• In some cases, a tissue biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of gangrene and determine the extent of tissue necrosis.

What are the Treatments for Gangrene?

The gangrene treatment depends on the underlying gangrene causes and gangrene symptoms. For instance:

• Surgical Debridement: This involves the surgical removal of dead or infected tissue to prevent the spread of gangrene and promote healing. In severe cases, amputation of the affected limb or area may be necessary to save the patient's life.
• Antibiotic Therapy: Antibiotics are administered to combat bacterial infection associated with gangrene, particularly in cases of wet or gas gangrene. Intravenous antibiotics are often prescribed to ensure effective delivery and penetration into infected tissues.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which helps improve oxygen delivery to tissues, promote healing, and inhibit bacterial growth associated with gangrene.
• Wound Care: Proper wound care, including cleaning, dressing changes, and protection from further injury or infection, is essential for gangrene treatment and facilitating tissue healing.

What Happens If Gangrene is Left Untreated?

If left untreated, gangrene can lead to severe complications, including sepsis, severely low blood pressure, organ failure, and even death. Without prompt medical intervention, gangrene can spread rapidly and become life-threatening.

How Can You Prevent Gangrene?

To prevent gangrene:

• Manage underlying health conditions like diabetes and peripheral artery disease.
• Practice proper care and hygiene when wounded
• Avoid tobacco use
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet with low cholesterol

What is the Long-Term Outlook for Gangrene?

The long-term outlook for gangrene depends on various factors, including the type and extent of gangrene, gangrene causes, promptness of treatment, and your overall health. With timely and appropriate treatment, many people can recover fully. Dry gangrene has a much better prognosis than wet gangrene. Overall, if treatment is started early, only 15-20% of patients may require surgical intervention for dead tissue removal or amputation for gangrene treatment.

When to See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor promptly if you experience any symptoms suggestive of gangrene, such as skin discolouration, severe pain, or non-healing wounds. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of infection, such as fever, dizziness, vomiting, breathing difficulties, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge from a wound.

Conclusion

By recognising the causes of gangrene, identifying symptoms early, and seeking timely medical intervention, you can mitigate the risk of complications and improve prognosis. Awareness, preventive measures, and access to appropriate healthcare are crucial in combating this serious medical condition. This is why Metropolis Healthcare provides you with comprehensive and reliable blood tests and bacterial culture tests to help you identify the presence of gangrene. Metropolis Healthcare is the number one choice for top doctors and hospitals for diagnostic services across the country. So do not delay and book your appointment today!