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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Gangrene

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Gangrene is the death of living cells or tissues of the body.

What is going on in the body?

Gangrene occurs when the blood supply to part of the body is cut off. This depletes the tissues of oxygen and they begin to die. Gangrene usually affects the extremities, such as the toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands, and arms. It may also occur in other parts of the body, including the abdomen or intestines. Gangrene usually occurs after trauma or surgery. Usually gangrene begins 24 hours to 3 days after trauma but may occur anywhere from 3 hours to 6 weeks later. As the tissue begins to die, carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases are released, causing bubbling around the tissue.

There are two types of gangrene:

dry gangrene, a condition in which the tissues dry and slough off because the blood vessels are no longer supplying blood to the area

wet or gas gangrene, which is usually caused from a bacterial infection of a wound

What are the causes and risks of the infection?

Causes of gangrene include:

a blockage of blood to an organ or tissue

surgery causing tissue damage

trauma or injury, such as frostbite, boils, crush injuries, and severe the amount of body surface area, also called BSA, that is injured\ \the depth of destruction\ \the location of the burn\ ',CAPTION,'Burns');" onmouseout="return nd();">burns, that destroys tissues in the body

infection of wounds, especially deep wounds

certain diseases that affect circulation, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Raynaud's disease

blood clots, such as a deep venous thrombosis

a ruptured appendix caused by appendicitis

an intestinal hernia

smoking and drinking alcohol

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