Buerger’s disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans, is the inflammation and blockage of small and medium-sized arteries of the legs or arms.
Buerger’s disease is a rare disease that usually effects smokers and is more common in men from age 20 to 40 years.Buerger’s disease was once considered a man’s disease but has been increasingly common in women.About one third of people with the disease are women, probably due to the rise in women who smoke.
The relationship between cigarette smoke and Buerger’s disease is not fully understood and exactly what causes the disease is still unknown.A theory is that smoking leads to inflammation and the constriction of the arteries, but, only a small percentage of smokers develop Buerger’s disease.Some people are more susceptible to Buerger’s disease than other and those reasons are still unknown also.It is known that people who smoke, and that have Buerger’s disease, will get worse if they do not stop smoking.It is also known that amputation is required more often in people with Buerger’s disease if they continue to smoke and that the risk of amputation is greatly lessened if the patient quits smoking.
The first symptoms of Buerger’s disease are coldness, numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, and pain. These abnormal feelings start at the fingertips or toes and move up the legs or arms. Legs are affected more often than the arms. Patients with Buerger’s disease feel these abnormal sensations before their doctor sees any skin changes indicating an inadequate blood supply.The pulse may be decreased of absent in the affected extremity.
There may be muscles cramps during activity the pain will decrease after the activity stops, the cramps occur in the calf muscles or feet if the legs are affected and in the hands or forearms if the arms are affected.As Buerger’s disease progresses the symptoms may include fingers, toes, hands and feet turning white with exposure to cold, skin ulcerations, and gangrene.These symptoms may worsen if you are exposed to cold or are having emotional stress.More than one limb may be affected.
To diagnose Buerger’s disease a doctor first eliminates the possibility of other artery blockage diseases during a physical exam, since the treatment of Buerger’s disease and the other diseases are treated quite differently.Most patients with Buerger’s disease have a pulse that is weak or absent in one or more arteries of the feet or wrists, the affected area will become pale when raised above the heart and turn red when lowered.
Since there is no cure for Buerger’s disease, the goal of treatment is to control symptoms.Initial treatment for a patient with Buerger’s disease is to stop smoking immediately or the disease will get worse.Since smoking constricts blood vessels a person with Buerger’s disease is at a higher risk of an advanced case of Buerger’s disease which may lead to amputation of the limb.
Prevent injury to the limb is another initial treatment for Buerger’s disease.The injury to the affected limb will not heal quickly due to the decreased blood flow.Wearing shoes that fit properly will prevent injury to the feet.
A gentle massage and warmth to increase circulation is another treatment to control the symptoms of Buerger’s disease.
Avoid sitting or standing in one position for and extended period of time.
Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing
As you can see, prevention is the best medicine.Avoiding tobacco completely can lessen the symptoms of Buerger’s disease and may deter the disease in the first place.It is vital for anyone with the disease to stop smoking immediately.