Gangrene is death of body tissue caused by lack of blood flow or serious bacterial infection. It commonly affects the arms and legs, but it can also occur in the muscles and organs, such as the gallbladder.
A condition which damages the blood vessels and affects the blood flow, like diabetes or atherosclerosis can increase the risk of gangrene.
Lack of blood supply: when the supply of blood gets affected in the body, cells can not survive and tissues start dying
Infection: bacterial infection that is not treated can cause gangrene
Traumatic injury: gunshot wounds or crushing injuries cause open wounds that then allow bacteria into the body. If these bacteria infect tissues and don’t get treated, gangrene can occur
Dry Gangrene: It involves dry and shrivelled skin that looks brown to purplish blue/black. It may develop slowly and occurs most commonly in people who have diabetes or atherosclerosis.
Wet Gangrene: This type of gangrene happens when bacteria infects the tissue. Swelling, blistering and wet appearance are the common features. It may develop after a severe burn, frostbite or injury. Wet gangrene often occurs in people with diabetes who may unknowingly injure a toe or foot. It needs to be treated immediately because it spreads quickly and can be fatal
Gas Gangrene: It usually affects deep muscle tissue. Surface of skin may look normal in the early stage, but as it worsens, it may become pale and then turn grey or purplish red. The skin may look bubbly and it may make a crackling sound when it is pressed because of the gas in the tissue. Clostridium perfringens bacteria gathers in an injury or surgical wound without blood supply, and the infection produces toxins that release gas and cause tissue death. This can be a life-threatening condition
Internal Gangrene: It affects one or more of the organs and occurs when blood flow to an organ gets blocked. It can be deadly
Fournier’s Gangrene: It involves the genital organs. While it usually affects men, women can also get it. An infection in the genital area or urinary tract can cause this type of gangrene
Meleney’s Gangrene/Progressive Bacterial Synergistic Gangrene: It is rare and is usually a complication of surgery. Typically 1-2 weeks after surgery, painful skin lesions happen.
Ranging from pale grey to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, these changes in skin colour happens due to blood flow of a tissue being cut off
As blood flow to an area in the body is cut off, it can cause the particular area to become swollen
These form in gangrene when the body’s tissue begins to die due to lack of blood supply and bacterial infection begins
This happens because the tissue breaks down and dies due to a lack of blood flow
This happens when bacteria invade the tissue and cause tissue death
This happens due to tissue death caused by gangrene
In gangrene, as blood flow to a certain area is cut off, the skin can feel cool/cold to touch due to lack of circulation
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and this damage can slow or block blood flow to a body part.
Atherosclerosis: Hardened and narrowed arteries & blood clots can block blood flow to a part of the body
Severe injury or surgery: Something that causes skin and underlying tissue trauma, such as frostbite, can increase risk of gangrene
Smoking: Smokers have higher risk of gangrene
Obesity: Being overweight can put extra pressure on arteries, slowing down blood flow and increasing infection risk and delayed wound healing
Immunosuppression: chemotherapy, radiation and infections like HIV, can affect the body’s ability to defend against or fight off infections
Injections: This is rare, but injectable drugs can cause a bacterial infection which can then lead to gangrene
Diabetes management: as a diabetic person, controlling blood sugar levels is important. It is also important to examine your hands and feet for any cuts, sores and signs of infection like redness, swelling or leakage
Lose weight: being overweight can increase the risk of diabetes as well as putting pressure on arteries, which can slow down blood flow and increase the risk of infection and slower wound healing
Don’t smoke: usage of tobacco over a long period of time can damage the blood vessels
Wash your hands: practising good hygiene can help prevent infections from happening
Check for frostbite: exposure to very cold temperatures can reduce the blood flow in the affected body area and cause gangrene
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Gangrene using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the root cause of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
HACCP Certified Ayurvedic Medicines: Scientifically-formulated mixtures that help restore balance in the body and maintain emotional stability.
Dietary Adjustments: Avoid food items which cause imbalance of doshas, like cold, sour and dry food as well as hard to digest food. Proper intake of fluids is a must.
Panchakarma Therapies: Virechana and Raktamokshana are good panchakarma therapies to help manage gangrene.
Meditation & Yoga: Nadi Shuddhi pranayama helps to relax the mind and body, which can help ease irritation and stress caused due to gangrene.
External Therapies: Dashanga lepa can be applied on the part of the body where gangrene is present.
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine of India which includes usage of herbs for rebalancing the energies in the body and improving overall health. In cases of infections such as Gangrene, specific Ayurvedic medicines are used which concentrate on managing this infection. Listed below are a few recommended Ayurvedic herbs which can help in managing Gangrene.
Reshma Khatmi: this ayurvedic herb helps with relieving irritation as well as swelling
Jaytun (Olive) leaf: it has a lot of antioxidants and can also help in relieving swelling and inflammation
Haridra: it is great for wound healing and can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
Amla: it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which boost the immune syste
Amputation is a surgical procedure to remove severely damaged limbs. This procedure can become necessary in people who have severe gangrene and is done to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
Some of the early signs of gangrene can be swelling of the affected area, either a loss of sensation or severe pain in the affected area.
Yes, sepsis can occur when bacteria from gangrene enter the bloodstream. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can be fatal.
