Comment from: migslife, 75 or over Female (Patient)Published: July 06
Almost 1 year ago my mother was admitted in a rehab facility during this time a podiatrist arrived and in his attempt to clean my mother's toe nails he accidentally cut a piece of her skin. Due to this insanity my mother has progressive gangrene on three of her toes. Her toes never healed due to her diabetes and she will possibly get all her toes amputated. My mother has been receiving HBOT for 2 weeks now, but I am not sure how much will this help her. It's outrages how something like this could happen to her at a professional facility. Patients aren't safe even in hospitals and in the hands of doctors. My mother has and continues to suffer great pain.
Comment from: Linda, 55-64 Female (Caregiver)Published: October 05
My dad had stage III advance to Stage IV with sepsis, staph and MRSA. After he had a debrivement, the bedsores still advanced. With all the trials of antibiotics, he started to smell like a dead animal. His ears, his ankles, his whole body seemed to rot away and he loss 40 lbs. now only weighing 128 lbs. at 5'11" tall. He was in a nursing home when all this started. Even bedsores on the bottom of his feet. He was so tall in his wheel chair, his feet sat flat on the floor. Once my dad was diagnosed with Sepsis and MRSA to the point of debrievement. Does he have any chance of survival? I've been researching on this web site I think the answere is no.
Comment from: 75 or over Male (Caregiver)Published: May 17
My 90-year-old father has dry gangrene on his small left toe. He has other health problems: poor circulation, congestive heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. His cardiologist and podiatrist disapprove of surgical removal of the toe. A bone scan shows no infection to the bone. He has been in the hospital since May 3rd getting antibiotics.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: January 27
I was woken up after surgery and told that I had gangrene on my left hand and to keep it under the blankets. My hand was paralyzed. Everything inside my hand died: my tendons and ligaments. I lost almost all of the feeling in my hand. I could poke it and not feel a thing on my skin. A plastic surgeon kept trying to cut off my entire hand. My family stopped him several times while I was asleep. Even after I woke up, his students kept on coming to me. First, they were trying to talk me into letting them take off half of my hand. They said I could probably keep my thumb. The next time, they wanted to just snip off my fingers. I never let them. When all is said and done, I ended up losing one-third of my first and pinky fingers and about half of my two middle ones.
Comment from: Gloria, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: September 16
Working in a remote area clinic in a third world country, I often come across patients with gangrene. One in particular recently had an amputation of his toes. Now, only a month after the operation he has gangrene up to his knee on the same leg. He has not yet been tested for HIV but my feeling is that he could be positive. Thank you.
Comment from: Overwhelmed, 75 or over Female (Caregiver)Published: February 14
My mother in law is 89 has extreme dementia, is blind because of temporal arthritis and is confined to a wheelchair due to a broken hip. She has now developed gangrene (I think dry) in her foot. They are doing an angiogram today to see the extent of the blockage. We do not know what decisions to make on her behalf. Amputation seems cruel, because she will never understand or remember. Yet we don't know if there is a humane way for her to carry on with just topical treatment of the condition.
Comment from: Chen, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: February 11
My brother had this disease for a short period of time. He had a toe removed, less than a week again the doctor said he had to removed another one, gave him two types of antibiotics. Within a week he started to experience high fever and started vomiting. He was admitted at the hospital and his leg was amputated the next day. A couple of hours later he died. Worst day of my life.
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Staphylococcus or Staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a Staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the
rectum, usually caused by untreated constipation, but occasionally associated
with chronic diarrhea. If untreated, hemorrhoids can
worsen, protruding from the anus. Also known as piles.
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis often causes
fever, loss of appetite, and right lower
quadrant abdominal pain. Delay in surgery can result in appendix rupture with potentially serious complications.
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.
MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles, impetigo, styes, and boils. Normal skin tissue doesn't usually allow MRSA infection to develop. Individuals with depressed immune systems and people with cuts, abrasions, or chronic skin disease are more susceptible to MRSA infection.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by a pale-blue-red sequence of color changes of the digits, most commonly after exposure to cold. Occurring as a result of spasm of blood vessels, the cause is unknown. Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon depend on the severity, frequency, and duration of the blood vessel spasm. Treatments include protection of the digits, medications, and avoiding emotional stresses, smoking, cold temperature, and tools that vibrate the hands.
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
Sepsis (blood poisoning) is a potentially deadly infection with signs and symptoms that include elevated heart rate, low or high temperature, rapid breathing and/or a white blood cell count that is too high or too low and has more than 10% band cells. Most cases of sepsis are caused by bacterial infections, and some cases are caused by fungal infections. Treatment requires hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and therapy to treat any organ dysfunction.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis has many causes including acid reflux, heartburn, viruses, medications that become stuck in the esophagus, allergy, asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms include difficulty swallowing food, abdominal pain, chest pain, and heartburn.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease symptoms include: intermittent claudication, rest pain, numbness in the extremities, and more. Treatment for peripheral artery disease include: lifestyle measures, medication, angioplasty, and surgery.
There are many types of E. Coli (Escherichia coli ). Pathogenic E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead to sepsis. E coli O157:H7 (EHEC) causes bloody diarrhea and colitis. Complications of E. coli infection include hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. E coli O157:H7 commonly is due to eating raw or undercooked hamburger or raw milk or dairy products.
Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves; this is related to the blood glucose of the body being too high for a long period of time. The four types of neuropathy include peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal.
Laxatives for treatment of constipation include over-the-counter preparations such as bulk-forming laxatives, stool softeners, lubricant laxatives, stimulant laxatives, saline laxatives, enemas and suppositories. Some over-the-counter laxatives are not recommended for patients with specific diseases or conditions. Some laxatives may have negative adverse effects if taken over long periods of time.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
A carcinoid tumor is a tumor that develops from enterochromaffin cells. The important characteristic of carcinoid tumors that sets them apart from other gastrointestinal tract tumors, is their potential to cause the carcinoid syndrome. Local symptoms may include abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, and intestinal obstruction. However, often symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome can be more devastating than the local symptoms. There are many options for the treatment of carcinoid tumors and carcinoid syndrome.
Penis disorders (male reproductive problems) include priapism, Peyronie's disease, balanitis, phimosis, paraphimosis, and penile cancer. Read on for causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. These disorders can affect a man's fertility and sexual functioning. A variety of treatments are available for these disorders.
Connective tissue diseases are disorders featuring abnormalities involving the collagen and elastin.
Connective tissue diseases that are strictly inheritable include Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The classic immune-related connective tissue diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. Treatment is often directed at suppressing the inflammation present in the tissues by using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications.
Group A streptococcal infections are caused by group A streptococcus, a bacteria that causes a variety of health problems, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. There are more than 10 million group A strep infections each year.
Necrotizing fasciitis is also known as a flesh-eating bacterial infection, Fournier's gangrene, suppurative fasciitis, and necrotizing cellulitis. The disease is occasionally caused by fungi, but most cases are caused by bacteria that enter the skin through insect bites, cuts, puncture wounds, or surgical incisions. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, fever, chills, skin ulceration, bullae formation, black scabs, gas formation, and fluid draining from the site of infection. Treatment involves hospitalization, the use of intravenous antibiotics, and debridement of the necrotic tissue.
There are two categories to cold weather-related injuries. 1) no freezing of body tissue (trench foot and chilblains), and 2) freezing of body tissues (frostbite). Chilblains in general, will not need medical attention (unless there is infection). Trench foot and frostbite, however, require medical attention. Symptoms of frostbite include pain, burning, numbness, and eventually a complete loss of sensation in the affected body part. The young, elderly, and patients with certain medical conditions (diabetes, hypothyroidism, circulatory problems, and psychiatric illnesses), are more susceptible to cold weather-related injuries. People who abuse alcohol and illicit drug user are also at risk for cold weather-related injuries.
Microscopic colitis (lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis) is a disease of inflammation of the colon. Microscopic colitis is only visible when the colon's lining is examined under a microscope. The cause of microscopic colitis is not known. Symptoms of microscopic colitis are chronic watery diarrhea and abdominal pain or cramps. Microscopic colitis is diagnosed through biopsies of several areas of the colon. There is no standardized treatment for microscopic colitis; however, eliminating NSAIDs, and treatment medications such as Imodium, Lomotil, Petpo-Bismol, Entocort EC, and mesalamine (Asacol) have been helpful in some individuals.
Vascular disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system. Vascular disease ranges from diseases of your arteries, veins and lymph vessels to blood disorders that affect circulation.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
Though human milk is the preferred feeding for infants, parents may consider formula-feeding if there is an inadequate supply of breast milk, the baby sucks inefficiently, the parents want to monitor how much the baby is receiving, or the mother is taking medications that are unsafe for the baby and may be passed through the breast milk.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Almost 1 year ago my mother was admitted in a rehab facility during this time a podiatrist arrived and in his attempt to clean my mother's toe nails he accidentally cut a piece of her skin. Due to this insanity my mother has progressive gangrene on three of her toes. Her toes never healed due to her diabetes and she will possibly get all her toes amputated. My mother has been receiving HBOT for 2 weeks now, but I am not sure how much will this help her. It's outrages how something like this could happen to her at a professional facility. Patients aren't safe even in hospitals and in the hands of doctors. My mother has and continues to suffer great pain.
Related Reading: gangrene | diabetes