Gangrene develops when the blood flow to part of your body is interrupted and the tissue dies as a result. It can be caused by an injury, infection, or as a complication of a long-term medical condition that causes the circulation to be restricted. Diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, is one such cause.
Gangrene usually occurs in your extremities, i.e. fingers, toes, hands, arms, feet and legs but it's also possible to develop gangrene in muscles and organs. The five types of gangrene are:
Dry gangrene is most commonly found in people with vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. It starts with a red line which grows numb and cold. As tissue dies there might be pain, but unfortunately elderly people often don't feel anything. The color changes from red to brown then black before the tissue shrivels up and falls off.
Wet gangrene is very painful. Wet refers to the bacterial infection in the tissue. It can happen due to frostbite, a severe burn or an injury. Diabetes sufferers can develop wet gangrene if they injure their foot or toe. It spreads quickly so needs immediate treatment. The area will swell before the tissue starts to die; the skin will change color, ending up being black, smelly and full of pus. Fever is also present.
Gas gangrene affects deep muscles. The skin's surface looks normal but as the gangrene advances, the color may pale and turn grey or reddish-purple. This type is caused by bacteria multiplying as blood supply diminishes. The blood releases a gaseous toxin that can be life-threatening.
The affected area can feel painful and heavier than usual and the skin may look as though it's bubbling. If you press it, the gas causes a crackling sound. Sometimes there's a watery discharge but no odor.
Internal gangrene can affect your appendix, gall bladder or intestines. You may have more than one affected organ. It can be caused by a hernia when the intestine bulges through a weak area of muscle and becomes twisted. Pain and fever will occur and without treatment, death could follow.
Fournier's gangrene is the least common form and affects male genitals more often than female genitalia. Over 50% of patients have diabetes and is usually caused by either a genital or urinary tract infection. It causes pain, swelling and tenderness. Septic shock can occur if the bacteria enters your blood stream.
Symptoms of septic shock include:
- confusion,
- reduced urine flow,
- clammy,
- cold,
- pale skin, and
- a weak but rapid pulse.
Your blood pressure will also drop considerably at this time.
Because gangrene has different forms and early symptoms are not always obvious, if you feel there is a serious issue with your health, it is always best to seek medical attention. It's far better to have tests done and find out you are healthy than it is to ignore problems and then learn you have a severe case of gangrene and nothing can be done to save your life.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience. Taking care of yourself will help prevent the development of gangrene.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.
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