Gangrene: Types, Causes, Signs, and Treatments

Posted by Shivani Jani on May 19th, 2021

Gangrene occurs due to an infection or injury in the tissues or additional conditions that have negative effects on blood circulation. The treatment for gangrene mainly involves removing the infected or dead tissues, treating the injury or infection to restrict the spread of gangrene, and tending the reasons or conditions that resulted in the development of gangrene.

Gangrene - A definition

Gangrene is a severe medical condition wherein, there is a lack of or less supply of blood to the tissues in the body, which causes the tissues to die. Tissues in any part of the body can get affected, however, gangrene mostly begins in the toes, fingers, feet, and hands.

Gangrene could be fatal when left untreated. Therefore, you need to seek better gangrene treatment in Bangalore.

Types of gangrene

Gangrene can be of different types, and the gangrene treatment cost is also different. The different types include:

• Dry gangrene: 

In this condition, the tissues die when the blood flow in a particular area or region of the body gets blocked or is disrupted.

• Wet gangrene: 

In this condition, the tissues die due to an injury or bacterial infection that restricts or blocks the supply of blood to a particular area of the body. In this case, blisters, tissue swells, and pus develop in the impacted region. Wet gangrene spreads quickly therefore, it needs medical attention as soon as possible.

• Gas gangrene: 

In this case, the tissue dies as a result of infection due to the bacteria Clostridium. This bacteria could multiply quickly inside the body tissues, thus forming different toxins and discharging gas on the tissues. If the gas gangrene condition is not treated, it could immediately lead to the death of the individual.

• Fournier’s gangrene: 

It is caused as a result of an infection in the penis, perineal (anal or genital), or scrotum.

• Internal gangrene: 

It is caused due to the blockage of the flow of blood specifically to the internal organs, like the gallbladder, intestines, or appendix.

Causes of gangrene

According to vascular doctors near me, gangrene is defined as tissue death that occurs due to insufficient or no blood supply to a particular affected region or tissue. Adequate blood flow to every tissue in the body is vital for the life and health of the tissue. Blood delivers nutrients, antibodies, and oxygen to keep the tissue healthy and to help fight the infection. If the supply of blood to a particular tissue is restricted or cut off completely, the cells in the tissue will die due to no blood supply. As a result, infection will develop in the impacted region and the tissue will die due to gangrene.

Gangrene happens due to an infection or injury to the tissue or due to any other condition that affects blood circulation.

Symptoms and signs:

The signs of gangrene may vary based on its causes. The most common symptoms include:

• Pale, cold skin

• Swollen and red skin in the affected region

• Loss of any feeling over the affected region

• Presence or absence of pain in the affection region

If gangrene is caused due to bacterial infections, then the symptoms include:

• Chills

• Fever

• Dizziness

• Loss of appetite

• Severe pain in the region of impact

• Rapid heartbeat and breathing

• Changes in skin colour: from red, brown, purple, and then black

• Sound of crackling when pressing the skin. This is an indication of gas build-up in the tissue.

• Blisters and sores that bleed and release foul-smelling pus.

Treatment and management:

The main objective of treatment for gangrene is to:

• Treat or prevent the infection to restrict the gangrene from further spreading

• Remove infected or dead tissues

• Provide treatment for the underlying condition which caused the development of gangrene in the body.

Removal of dead tissue:

According to vascular doctors near me, the dead tissue could be effectively removed with the help of general surgery or with the help of a kind of biosurgery which is called larval debridement therapy. It utilizes maggots that do not reproduce. These lab-created maggots are kept over the wound and covered with a dressing. They eat on the dead tissue only and leave the healthy tissue as it is. A few days later, the maggots and the dressing are removed.

An amputation is also a treatment option for the removal of dead tissue if the affected toe, limbs, or fingers are severely affected by gangrene. And it is very unlikely to stop the spread of gangrene without removing the body part altogether.

If you want to know about the best gangrene treatment in Bangalore and gangrene treatment cost, you must visit Vascular Centre today.