What is Gangrene?
{{Infobox disease | Name = Gangrene | Image = Acral gangrene of digits -bubonic plague.jpg | Caption = Acral gangrene of the fingers in a person infected with the bubonic plague | DiseasesDB = 19273 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|02||r|00}}, {{ICD10|I|70|2|i|70}}, {{ICD10|E|10|2|e|10}}, {{ICD10|I|73|9|i|70}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|040.0}}, {{ICD9|785.4}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = 007218 | eMedicineSubj = article | eMedicineTopic = 217943 | eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|article|782709}} {{eMedicine2|article|214992}} {{eMedicine2|article|438994}} {{eMedicine2|article|2028899}} {{eMedicine2|article|2051157}} | MeshID = D005734 }} '''Gangrene''' is a serious [[Disease|medical condition]] that causes the [[decay]] and [[Necrosis|death of body tissue]], usually in the extremities such as the fingers, hands, toes, and feet. The two main types of gangrene are dry gangrene and wet gangrene. A third less common type is a form of wet gangrene known as [[gas gangrene]]. A very rare type which affects the internal [[organ]]s is known as internal gangrene. Dry gangrene is usually caused by a [[Ischaemia|loss of blood supply]] to the affected area, such as may happen following an [[injury]] which damages the [[blood vessel]]s to the affected area. Wet gangrene usually occurs when a wound becomes [[infection|infected]] with various types of [[bacteria]]. Gas gangrene is usually caused by ''[[clostridium]]'' bacteria and mainly affects the [[muscle]]s. Internal gangrene affects the internal organs, usually the [[intestines]], [[gallbladder]], or [[appendix]]. There are a number of [[Factor (medicine)|risk factors]] which increase a person's chances of getting gangrene. These includes advanced blockage of the arteries in medical conditions such as [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]]. {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Symptoms]] [[Category:Medical signs]]