How to Understand Gangrene

People who suffer with chronic occlusive vascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus have an increase risk of developing gangrene. See your doctor at the first sign of an infected wound, especially if your circulation is compromised in any way.

Instructions

• 1

  Realize that gangrene causes tissue to decay and die (necrosis).

• 2

  Understand that gangrene can be caused by a lack of blood supply to a body part.

• 3

  Know that gangrene can be caused by bacterial infection, usually Clostridia.

• 4

  Consider that gangrene can be a complication of bedsores, deep burns, frostbite, a blood clot, infection, severe arteriosclerosis, diabetes, occlusive vascular disease or any condition that compromises adequate circulation to a body part.

• 5

  Figure that over the age of 40, gangrene is 50 times more frequent in diabetic men and 70 times more frequent in diabetic women.

• 6

  Realize that "dry" gangrene means gangrene in the absence of infection. The body part that is gangrenous becomes, shriveled, dry and dark.

• 7

  Understand that "wet" gangrene results in dead tissue caused by infection.

• 8

  Be aware that gangrene occurs most commonly in the extremities.