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Prevention from Gangrene


Here are a few suggestions that can help prevent gangrene

  • Stop smoking now. Smoking narrows the blood vessels and interrupts blood flow. It has also been linked to diseases like atherosclerosis that increase the risk of developing gangrene.
  • If you are diabetic, make sure your sugar levels are under control. If they aren’t, any infection that occurs will prove difficult to control. Gangrene, resulting in amputation is a common occurrence in the case of diabetics, especially older ones.

Examine your hands and feet regularly for sores, injuries, insect bites and other signs of infection. Any redness or swelling is cause for concern and you should consult your physician immediately.

  • Exercise regularly and lose weight if you are overweight. Extra weight increases the pressure on your vascular system and you also run the risk of developing diabetes.
  • A healthy well balanced diet will help. Stop eating junk food and foods high in fats and cholesterol. Cholesterol causes blockages of the arteries, increasing risk of gangrene.
  • Ensure that you have adequate protection during the cold. Frostbitten skin can develop into gangrene. If you notice any area of your skin which has turned pale, hard or numb then call your doctor.
  • Treat burns and other infections immediately. Take the complete course of antibiotics as prescribed by your physician. Interrupted treatment can lead to antibiotic resistance which will make infections much more difficult to treat.

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Gangrene
References
  1. Neil W Ahle, Murray P Hamlet, Enzymatic frostbite eschar debridement by bromelain, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 9, September 1987, Pages 1063-1065, ISSN 0196-0644, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(87)80759-X. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019606448780759X)
  2. Mostafa M.H. Khalil, Eman H. Ismail, Khaled Z. El-Baghdady, Doaa Mohamed, Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using olive leaf extract and its antibacterial activity, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Available online 13 April 2013, ISSN 1878-5352, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.04.007. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535213000968)