Gangrene is the medical term for the death of tissue as a result of lost blood supply. Gangrene can affect any area of the body, including limbs, skin and internal organs. Common symptoms of gangrene include a discoloration of the affected area, severe pain that may turn into complete numbness, and a malodorous discharge coming from the tissues that are dying. Symptoms of gangrene within one of the organs may include a fever, low blood pressure and mental confusion. Different types of gangrene may be caused by several factors, all of which result in lost blood supply to an area of the body.
Blood Vessel Damage
Two types of gangrene, dry and internal, may be caused by damage within the blood vessels. When a blood vessel is blocked, the blood cannot get to where it is needed. Atherosclerosis, a hardening of the blood vessels associated with high cholesterol, and blood clots are two conditions that may lead to gangrene if untreated. Dry gangrene is a slow-moving form of the disease. Internal gangrene occurs when blood cannot flow to a particular internal organ.
Trauma
Trauma can cause blood supply to stop and gangrene to set in. Trauma can be defined in many ways; frostbite and severe burns to the skin may result in gangrene if not treated appropriately. Injuries to limbs may lead to infection and tissue death. People with diabetes neuropathy who may not feel a foot injury (and thus not treat it as quickly as other people might) can have a higher risk of gangrene due to trauma. People who develop trauma-related gangrene often have what is referred to as "wet" gangrene, which develops from infected tissue.
Immunosuppression
Reduced blood flow leading to gangrene may sometimes be the result of having a weakened immune system. People who undergo chemotherapy treatments, are HIV positive or have autoimmune diseases such as lupus may be more at risk for gangrene due to the immunosuppressive state they are in.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infections, most often occurring after surgery, can cause gangrene. A specific bacteria called clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene when it invades a surgical wound or injury. This form of tissue damage manifests itself by blistering and discoloration of the skin, and may become fatal if not treated promptly.
