Gangrene is a local affection of a living body, characterized by the death of cells with a gradual extension of the affected area. The areas most affected are the toes, fingers, feet, hands. The blood stops flowing in the affected area, causing tissue death from lack of oxygen.
The main causes are arterial obstruction, infection of a wound and severe frostbite. Diabetics and people with arterial disease are more likely to be suffering from gangrene.
There are different types of gangrene with different symptoms: dry gangrene (tissue becomes dark), white gangrene (tissue becomes white), moist gangrene (swelling and putrefaction) ...
In general, the first symptom is loss of sensitivity. Generally the area swells. Subsequently, the area becomes dark, then the tissue dies (necrosis). There is often a secondary infection.
Gas gangrene is the most dangerous. The pain becomes intense, the body temperature is elevated, blood pressure decreases. The infected blood contaminates the vital organs, causing death of the patient.
The gangrene is treated with antibiotics. It may require surgery to remove dead tissue, then treatment to oxygenate tissues.
To prevent gangrene, it is important to clean the wound with an antiseptic.
20 avril 2010
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