Understanding Gangrene: Causes and Characteristics

The death of body tissue due to the loss of blood supply, sometimes permitting bacteria to invade and accelerate decay.

Dry gangrene, wet gangrene, gas gangrene

Dry gangrene is caused by interrupted blood flow for a reason other than severe bacterial infection.

<p>Dry gangrene begins at the distal part of the limb due to ischemia and often occurs in the toes and feet of elderly patients due to arteriosclerosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Diabetes and long-term smoking</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The word 'gangrene' comes from the Greek 'ganggraina' denoting 'an eating sore that ends in mortification'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>dull ache and sensation of coldness</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>by vascular surgery</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>blockage of venous and/or arterial blood flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>naturally moist tissue and organs such as the mouth, bowel, lungs, cervix, and vulva</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>up to 50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>painful, erythematous scrotum that rapidly progresses within hours and can travel up the abdomen</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>obesity, diabetes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Infection spreads rapidly as the gases produced by bacteria expand and affect healthy tissue</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>bacterial infection that produces gas within tissues</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>environmental bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers