Gangrene

Vergleich: Siehe: Krankheiten

[Dr. Manish Bhatia]

Gangrene defines as death of a body tissue which is caused due to loss of blood supply or inadequate blood supply to the tissue.

Symptoms of Gangrene

Change in skin color to red or black

Numbness

Pain

Skin breakdown

Coolness

Types of Gangrene

Dry gangrene

Dry gangrene develops in ischemic tissue, where the blood supply is inadequate to keep tissue viable. It is not a disease itself, but a symptom of other diseases. Dry gangrene

is often due to peripheral artery disease, but can be due to acute limb ischemia. The limited oxygen in the ischemic limb limits putrefaction and bacteria fail to survive.

The affected part is dry, shrunken, and dark reddish-black. The line of separation usually brings about complete separation, with eventual falling off of the gangrenous tissue

if it is not removed surgically, a process called autoamputation.

Wet gangren

In wet gangrene, the tissue is infected by saprogenic microorganisms (Clostridium perfringens or Bacillus fusiformis, for example), which cause tissue to swell and emit a fetid smell. Wet gangrene usually develops rapidly due to blockage of venous (mainly) or arterial blood flow. The affected part is saturated with stagnant blood, which promotes the rapid growth of bacteria. The toxic products formed by bacteria are absorbed, causing systemic manifestation of sepsis and finally death. The affected part is edematous, soft, putrid, rotten, and dark.

Gas gangrene

Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas within tissues. It can be caused by Clostridium, most commonly alpha toxin-producing C. perfringens, or various nonclostridial species. Infection spreads rapidly as the gases produced by the bacteria expand and infiltrate healthy tissue in the vicinity.

Causes of Gangrene

Vascular – gangrene is seen is vascular diseases such as peripheral arteriosclerosis, thrombosis of the large arteries, thrombosis of terminal aorta etc.

Infection: gangrene mainly produced by clostridium perfringens and other clostridia, bacteria such as streptococcal, staphylococcal may also produce certain forms

of gangrene.

Neoplasm – multiple myelomas are generally associated with Raynaud phenomenon which produces gangrene.

Neurological – peripheral neuropathy, syringomyelia, trasverse myelitis, may be associated with gangrene.

Intoxication – should keep in mind that use of ergot alkaloids may also be associated with gangrene.

Trauma – laceration of major artery of extremities or pressure from splinters may cause gangrene.

Decreased temperature – extremes of cold may produce frostbite which can ultimately lead to gangrene.

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis may be associated with Raynaud phenomenon and gangrene.

Endocrine – gangrene can be associated with diabetes.

Homeopathic treatment of Gangrene

Ars. – Dry gangrene in old people, soreness and burning > warmth, restlessness. It is often indicated in gangrene of the lungs.

Arsenicum has a foetid diarrhea, great weakness, emaciation, coldness and heat alternately.

Bromium – hospital gangrene; cancerous ulcers on face; stony hard swelling of glands of lower jaw and throat

Carb-v. senile and humid gangrene in the persons who are cachectic in appearance; great exhaustion of vital powers; marked prostration; secretions smell foul; indolent ulcers, burning pain; tendency to gangrene of the margins; varicose ulcers.

Bothrops – homeopathic medicine for gangrene has swollen, livid, cold with hemorrhagic infiltration; malignant erysipelas.

Echinec. – homeopathic medicine for gangrene enlarged lymphatics; old tibial ulcers; gangrene; recurrent boils; carbuncles.

Lach. – gangrenous ulcers; gangrene after injury; bluish or black looking blisters; vesicles appearing here and there, violent itching and burning; swelling and inflammation of the parts; itching pain and painful spots appearing after rubbing.

Crot-h. gangrene, skin separated from muscles by a foetid fluid; traumatic gangrene; old scars open again.

Sec. pustules on the arms and legs, with tendency to gangrene; in cachectic, scrawny females with rough skin; skin shriveled, numb; mottled dusky-blue tinge;

blue color of skin; dry gangrene, developing slowly; varicose ulcers; boils, small, painful with green contents; skin feels too cold to touch yet covering is not

tolerated. Great aversion to heat; formication under skin.

Sec. < warmth, thus differing from Arsenicum.

Anthrac. gangrene; cellular tissues swollen and oedematous; gangrenous Parotitis; septicemia; ulceration, and sloughing and intolerable burning.

Canth. tendency to gangrene; vesicular eruptions; burns, scalds, with burning and itching; erysipelas, vesicular type, with marked restlessness.

Merc. gangrene of the lips, cheeks and gums; inflammation and swelling of the glands of neck; pains aggravated by hot or cold applications.

Sul-ac. traumatic gangrene; hemorrhages from wounds; dark pustules; blue spots like suggillations; bedsores.

Phos-ac. medicine for senile gangrene.

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