The precise relationship between necrotising fasciitis and obesity remains unclear but it is known risk factor for this appalling illness.
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis is a shocking, life-threatening condition which can develop when bacteria gain access to the deep, soft-tissue of the body.
The infection can lead to decay and destruction of the internal tissue which can spread rapidly through the body, ultimately depriving the major organs of oxygen and causing death if untreated.
Treatment needs to be initiated as a matter of emergency. The illness requires prompt diagnosis and susceptible patients require close monitoring.
How is obesity related to necrotising fasciitis?
Obesity is regarded as a risk factor for necrotising fasciitis. This means that those patients who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop the condition than other patients.
It may be, however, that obesity is a risk factor when in combination with other underlying or pre-existing conditions. Patients with more than one risk factor are more likely to get the infection.
It is also thought that an obese patient may be more likely to die from the disease once contracted than a non-obese patient.
Additional risk factors for necrotising fasciitis
Obesity is not the only risk factor for necrotising fasciitis. Patients who are also vulnerable to developing the illness include the following:
- Patients with diabetes
- Elderly patients
- Very young patients
- Patients who have a weakened immune system
Symptoms of necrotising fasciitis
It seems clear that if a patient is obese, their medical practitioners should be aware of their increased susceptibility to certain conditions.
Where an obese patient presents with the following symptoms, it should be considered that they might be developing necrotising fasciitis:
- Intense pain in the region of a cut or wound
- Redness, swelling and tenderness in the area of a cut or wound
- High temperature
- Rapid heartbeat
Patients undergoing surgery in hospital are particularly vulnerable and the obesity of a patient should mean that any such symptoms are taken very seriously indeed.
Medical Negligence
If a patient exhibiting the risk factors associated with necrotising fasciitis is undiagnosed when they are clearly developing the symptoms, the attending medical practitioners may be considered to have offered a substandard level of medical care.
The impact of necrotising fasciitis can be shocking: scarring, tissue loss, organ damage, amputation. Both the physical disability and psychological impacts can be traumatic.
If you or a loved one are suffering from the long-term effects of this awful illness due to a delay in diagnosis, you may wish to talk to a solicitor about a possible claim for compensation.
Contact us to discuss your experience with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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