Details
|
Buerger Disease (known as thromboangitis obliterans) is a medical condition, in which the obstruction of medium or small-sized veins or artery inflammation is caused by smoking. Smoker males of ages 20 to 40 are likely to get Buerger’s disease. Approx. 5% of individuals with this disorder are women. Causes of Buerger’s disease are unknown, but only people, who smoke cigarettes get it, and continued use of smoking worsens the condition. How and why smoking cigarettes results in problems is unknown. Symptoms of Buerger’s Disease include: reduced blood supply to the leg or arm which progresses gradually at the toe or finger-tip, and develops up the leg or arm, eventually resulting in gangrene. About 40% of individuals with Buerger’s disease also have incidences of vein inflammation, especially the superficial veins and legs, feet, or arteries. People can experience numbness, coldness, burning or tingling before his or her physician sees any signs. Patients with Buergers disease frequently have Raynaud’s phenomenon and have muscle cramps, commonly in their legs or feet, but seldom in their hands, thighs, or arms. In early stages of this disorder, gangrene, ulcer, or both may be present. In more than 50% of patients with Buerger’s disease, the pulse is absent or weak in 1 or more arteries of the wrist or feet. Frequently, the damaged feet, fingers, hands, or toes become pale, when raised above the heart, and red when lowered. Individuals can develop ulcers of the skin and gangrene, commonly of 1 or more toes or fingers. X-ray’s of the arteries called ‘Angiograms’ shows obstructed artery and other circulation disorders, specifically in the feet and hands. A patient with Buerger’s disease should quit smoking or the condition will become worse, and amputation can be required. The patient must also avoid exposure to the cold; injuries from the cold or heat; injuries from not fitting shoes or major surgery; drugs, that cause narrowing blood vessels; and fungal infections. Walking up to 30 minutes, twice daily is highly recommended, except for patients with sores, gangrene, or pain at rest. Individuals must protect their feet with bandages that consist of heel pads or rubber-foam booties. The bed’s head may be raised on 6-8 inch blocks so gravity may help the flow of blood through the arteries. A physician can prescribe such drugs as Calcium antagonist, Aspirin, or Pentoxifylline, mostly in cases, where the obstruction is caused by spasms. For individuals who quit smoking cigarettes but still experience occlusion of arteries, a surgeon can cut specific nearby nerves in order to prevent the spasm.
|
