Signs of gangrene can appear when you have diabetes. What are the risks and how to avoid them? Stay with us and learn all about it!
Due to diabetes we can lose sensitivity in the fingers, both hands and feet, and any injury could become infected and lead to gangrene.
If you have diabetes, then you should know that there is an increased risk that, after a minor injury, you will develop gangrene if you do not take the proper precautions. Gangrene usually affects the toes, hands, and extremities.
To help you, below we will tell you more about the risks of misinformation and how you can avoid developing gangrene, following the guidelines of your treating doctor at all times.
What is gangrene?
As scientific evidence indicates, gangrene is a condition that occurs when body tissue dies. This can happen when blood flow to a part of the body is cut off. It is often the result of an injury or infection of the skin or soft tissue.
In addition to the fingers and limbs, it can affect the muscles and organs, although these cases are not as common.
It is very important that if you develop signs of gangrene you seek immediate medical attention to remove dead tissue and prevent bacteria from spreading through your bloodstream. If not treated in time, it can lead to an infection that can be life-threatening.
What is the relationship between diabetes and gangrene?
The masked sugars in the products can promote insulin resistance and, with it, diabetes in the medium term.
As we mentioned at the beginning, if you are diabetic, you have a higher risk of developing gangrene. This is because high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, and this, in turn, causes loss of sensation in the affected area, making it easier for you to develop an injury.
High blood sugar levels also affect blood vessels and limit blood flow to the feet. This causes a chain reaction: If the feet are not getting enough blood, fewer infection-fighting cells are making their way to the feet.
Without enough cells in the area, the wounds you develop may take longer to heal than normal. This makes any potential injury more prone to infection.
What other risk factors should you be aware of?
Keep in mind that if you have any underlying medical conditions that affect circulation, you are at higher risk of developing this condition. There are several ailments that affect the blood vessels and also increase the risk. Besides diabetes, other troublesome ailments are:
- Arteriosclerosis.
- Raynaud’s disease.
- Peripheral arterial disease.
If you’ve recently had surgery or are experiencing a traumatic injury, you may be at higher risk of developing signs of gangrene. In people who have weak immune systems, minor infections can become more serious and lead to this condition.
What are the signs of gangrene and the different types?
There are different types of gangrene and each has its own causes
Dry gangrene
It occurs when there’s a blockage of the blood flow in a certain area of the body. If a part of the body is not getting the oxygen it needs, it can deteriorate to death.
The affected areas are often characterized by a dark green or purple color that can be almost black. In addition, the skin can be dry and wrinkled due to the lack of oxygen.
Moist gangrene
As its name suggests, this type of gangrene has a moist appearance and is characterized by swelling and blistering. It usually occurs in people who have experienced extreme temperatures, such as frostbite or a severe burn.
People with diabetes can unknowingly develop this type of gangrene after sustaining a minor injury to a foot or toe due to neuropathies. In addition, in these cases the affected tissues heal very slowly and are more prone to developing infections easily. It spreads quickly and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
Gas gangrene
This type of gangrene is usually due to an internal infection. Harmful bacteria release gas, which damages blood vessels, tissues, cells, and blood.
Gas gangrene can appear in areas of trauma. The skin turns red and gradually turns brown. Also, it can take on a bubbly appearance. This one in particular is especially deadly, as it can develop suddenly and without warning.
Internal gangrene
This can develop when there’s a blockage of the blood flow to an internal organ. It commonly affects the intestines, gallbladder, and appendix.
Fournier gangrene
This version is limited to the genitals and is caused by infections in the urinary tract or the genitalia itself. It is characterized by causing pain, swelling, sensitivity and purple, green or even black coloration and a bad smell. Although it mostly affects men, women are not spared either.
Synergistic bacterial progressive gangrene
It is very rare to get this type of gangrene. You can develop it after surgery and skin lesions can form around the affected area a couple of weeks after surgery.
The better informed you are, the better
Remember that there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing gangrene. If you have diabetes, it’s important to regularly check your hands and feet for infections or injuries. In addition to taking care of your weight, wearing appropriate clothing in cold weather and quitting smoking are key care to prevent the development of any type of gangrene.
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