If you have a medical condition that affects healthy blood flow, preventing and treating gangrene is one of the most important things that you can do. The team at Vascular and Vein Institute of the South in Germantown, North Millington, and Memphis Tennessee, Oxford, and Senatobia, Mississippi, and West Memphis and Forest City, Arkansas, are highly trained and experienced in treating gangrene. To learn more, call or use the online feature to schedule your appointment.
Ordinarily, your cardiovascular system delivers blood and nutrients to all areas of your body in a well-coordinated process. Your body’s tissues depend on these nutrients to maintain and build themselves, and ultimately, to stay alive. If this process is interrupted, problems can develop. Gangrene is a term that refers to the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious infection.
Gangrene is a dangerous condition that most often affects the extremities, such as your hands, feet, fingers, or toes. If you have a medical condition that affects your blood flow, such as diabetes or atherosclerosis, you have an increased chance of developing gangrene. Recognizing the symptoms of gangrene and seeking professional medical care is essential to ensure the best treatment outcomes.
Gangrene can present in different areas of your body and in different ways. There is a range of symptoms that you may experience, including:
Gangrene can lead to a severe, life-threatening condition called septic shock. If you develop fever, low blood pressure, confusion, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, seek medical care immediately.
Certain factors can increase your chances of developing gangrene. These include:
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be at risk for developing gangrene, speak with the team at Vascular and Vein Institute of the South immediately.
Often, surgery is needed to remove dead tissue. The team at Vascular and Vein Institute of the South may recommend surgery to improve blood vessel function in the area to avoid gangrene from developing further. Several operations may be needed. If left untreated, gangrene can even lead to the loss of a finger, toe, or limb.
To learn more about gangrene and how you can get the treatment you need, schedule your first appointment with the team at Vascular and Vein Institute of the South. Call or book online today.