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.
When diagnosing Burger’s disease your doctor will have to rule out other diseases that cause low blood flow to the hands and feet with an aggressive evaluation.Blocked blood vessels in the hands and feet due to Buerger’s disease can be detected by use of an angiogram which is an x-ray of the blood vessels– the patient receives an injection of dye to outline the vessels on an x-ray, or an arteriogram which is and x-ray of the arteries — the patient receives an injection of dye to out line the arteries on an x-ray,of the arms and legs and by a doppler ultrasound which is a procedure that uses sound waves to evaluate the blood vessels. Skin biopsies can also be taken but they are rarely used because the wound near the area with poor blood circulation may not heal.
The symptoms of Buerger’s disease are reduced blood supply to the arms and legs.There is coldness, numbness, a burning or tingling sensation, and pain.These symptoms usually start in the fingertips or the toes and move up the legs and arms.More people with Buerger’s disease are affected in the legs than in the arms.The abnormal sensations are felt before a doctor can see any of the changes indicating the reduced blood supply. As the disease progresses the pain will become more frequent and last longer.
Treatment for a patient with Buerger’s disease include they must stop smoking immediately or else the disease will get worse.It is important to prevent any injury to the limb.Wearing shoes that fit well and have a wide toe space can help prevent injury to the feet. For some patients with Burger’s disease these steps are not enough.Surgery may be needed to relieve the blocked arteries.
To summerize, Buerger’s disease is the blockage of arteries in the arms and legs.This blockage can reduce the blood flow in the artery.Smoking greatly affects Buerger’s disease and it is essential that a patient with Buerger’s disease stop smoking immediately.When doctors diagnose Buerger’s disease they must first rule out other diseases that reduce the blood flow of the arteries, since the treatment for Buerger’s and the other similar disease are quite different.The sensations that a sufferer of Buerger’s disease will feel are coldness, numbness, a burning or tingling sensation, and pain.These sensations begin in the fingers and toes and move up the limbs, the sensations will worsen as the disease advances.There are a few suggestions of treatment for patients of Buerger’s disease such as quit smoking immediately, avoid injury to the limb that is experiencing the abnormal sensations, and wearing shoes that fit properly with enough room in the toe box will help prevent injury to the feet.Other treatments may include surgery as the disease advances.