Leg bypass operation for Gangrene
Gangrene
Gangrene is the death of tissues in your body. It happens when a part of your body loses its blood supply. Gangrene can happen on the surface of the body, such as on the skin, or inside the body, in muscles or organs. Causes include:
- Serious injuries
- Problems with blood circulation, such as atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease
- Diabetes
Skin symptoms may include a blue or black color, pain, numbness, and sores that produce a foul-smelling discharge. If the gangrene is internal, you may run a fever,
feel unwell, and the area may be swollen and painful.
Treatment includes surgery, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy. In severe cases anamputation may be necessary.
About Gangrene:
Gangrene refers to the decay and death of tissue resulting from an interruption of blood flow to a certain area of your body. Some types of gangrene also involve a
bacterial infection. Gangrene most commonly affects the extremities, including your toes, fingers and limbs, but it can also occur in your muscles and internal organs.
Your chances of developing gangrene are higher if you have an underlying condition that can damage your blood vessels and impede blood flow, such as diabetes or atherosclerosis.
Treatments for gangrene include surgery to remove dead tissue, antibiotics and other approaches. The prognosis for recovery is good if gangrene is identified early and
treated quickly.
Gangrene Symptoms:
When gangrene affects your skin, signs and symptoms may include:
- A blue or black discoloration of your skin
- Severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
- A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore If you have a type of gangrene that affects tissues beneath the surface of your skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, you may notice that:
- The affected tissue is swollen and painful
- You're running a fever and feel unwell
A condition called septic shock can occur if a bacterial infection that originated in the gangrenous tissue spreads throughout your body. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
When to see a doctor?
Gangrene is a serious condition and needs immediate treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have persistent, unexplained pain in any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Persistent fever
- A wound that's slow to heal or recurring sores
- A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
- Skin that's become pale, hard, cold and numb — which may be an indication of frostbite.