Definition of Gangrene

According to the Mayo Clinic, gangrene is the death of tissue caused by the inhibition of blood flow to a part of the body. This causes the tissues to decay and rot. Gangrene is a serious condition that needs immediate treatment--prolonged decay caused by gangrene can cause death if left untreated.

Causes

• Causes of gangrene include genital or urinary tract infections, blockage of blood flow to the internal organs, the Clostridium perfringens bacteria, a bacterial infection, severe burns and frostbite.

Types

• Types of gangrene include dry, wet, gas, internal, or Fournier's gangrene.

Symptoms

• According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of gangrene include red, bronze, blue, or black discoloration in the affected area, a foul-smelling discharge or pus and numbness in the area. If it occurs inside the body, it can cause confusion, a fever, low blood pressure, severe or persistent pain, gas buildup in the tissues under the skin and feeling generally ill.

Treatment

• Treatments for gangrene include removal of the dead tissue, amputation of the affected body part, surgical procedures that improve blood supply to the affected area and antibiotics.

Complications

• Gangrene can cause a person to become disabled because of amputation. The tissue loss may require reconstructive surgery to correct.