Gas gangrene, bacterial infection caused by anaerobic Clostridium bacteria, affects muscle tissues

gas-gangrene-bacterial-infection-caused-by-anaerobic-clostridium-bacteria-affects-muscle-tissues Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection caused by anaerobic Clostridium bacteria, and it can affect the muscle tissues. Gas gangrene is a life-threatening condition, which can occur after certain surgeries.

Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium found in many environmental sources as well as the intestines in humans and animals. Commonly found in raw meat and poultry, Clostridium grows in areas with minimal to no oxygen. Clostridium causes illness, because once in the body, it releases a toxin that leads to sickness, including gas gangrene.

Gas gangrene causes

Gas gangrene is commonly caused by Clostridium bacteria, but it can also be caused by Streptococcus in some cases. Gas gangrene commonly occurs in an area of the body where there was recent trauma, injury, or surgery. It is rare that gas gangrene spontaneously occurs without a cause.

Gas gangrene can appear suddenly and spread quite quickly, so catching it at its earliest point is essential.

Risk factors for gas gangrene include deep wounds, injuries to muscles, crushed tissue, and wounds that have been contaminated with soil or dirt.

Health conditions, too, can increase a person’s risk of gas gangrene, including diabetes, blood vessel disease, colon cancer, frostbite, open fractures, and using a contaminated needle.

Gas gangrene symptoms

Symptoms of gas gangrene include:

Air beneath the skin
Pain
Swelling
Pale skin, which looks grey, brownish-red, or black
Blisters with foul-smelling discharge
Crackle sensation when you touch your skin
Fever
Perspiration
Anxiety
Increased heart rate
Vomiting
Jaundice

Gas gangrene treatment

A doctor will use blood, fluid, and tissue cultures along with imaging testing in order to properly diagnose gas gangrene. Upon diagnosis, treatment can begin.

For greatest success, treatment for gas gangrene must occur immediately, as the infection can spread rapidly. In many cases, treatment may occur prior to the arrival of test results in order to prevent complications or reduce the risk of death.

Tissues that are dead or have become infected must be removed, and high dosages of antibiotics are typically administered.

In severe incidences, amputation of the affected area must be done in order to prevent the infection from spreading to other healthy parts of the body.

If left untreated, many complications may arise from gas gangrene, including the following:

Tissue damage
Jaundice
Liver damage
Kidney failure
Shock
Delirium
Sepsis (where the infection spreads to other parts of the body)
Coma
Death

It’s important that at the first sign of gas gangrene, you seek out medical attention and that treatment begins immediately.

In order to better protect yourself and prevent gas gangrene, ensure all wounds are properly cleaned and healing well, and contact your doctor at the first sign of infection.

Gas gangrene causes

Gas gangrene symptoms

Gas gangrene treatment

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