Buerger’s Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Buerger’s disease or Thromboangiitis obliterans is an inflammatory disease of small and medium-sized blood vessels. This disease can affect any artery but usually occurs in the hands and feet.
Inflammation occurs due to blockages in the blood vessels which over time cause blood flow to the feet and hands to decrease. This condition causes tissue damage and causes pain.
This disease usually affects men aged 40–45 years who use tobacco products excessively, such as smoking or chewing tobacco.
Reason
The exact cause of Buerger’s disease is still unknown. The risk of inflammation of blood vessels increases if the patient is a heavy smoker. Nearly all people with Buerger’s disease are tobacco users.
In addition, genetic or hereditary factors are also thought to play a role in triggering Buerger’s disease. Men aged between 40–45 years who consume tobacco excessively are also known as a group that is very susceptible to this disease.
Diagnosis
The doctor will determine the diagnosis of Buerger’s disease from a detailed medical interview regarding the symptoms and history of the disease as well as a physical examination. Investigations such as blood tests are used to rule out other possibilities. For example, blood sugar to rule out diabetes.
Other tests can also help rule out lupus, a blood clotting disorder. An angiogram, which is an X-ray, can specifically be done to examine blood vessels. Another examination, namely the Allen test, is carried out by examining the circulation of blood in the hands. If positive, the patient may have Bueger’s disease or something else.
Symptoms
In Buerger’s disease, the inflammatory process in the blood vessels causes clots or blood clots to form in the blood vessels. So that blood circulation becomes obstructed. The result can be tissue death due to lack of oxygen and nutrients from the blood.
Symptoms that appear include:
- pain in the area where inflammation of the blood vessels occurs, usually in the hands and feet
- Weakness in the area where the blood vessels are inflamed
- open wounds on fingers and toes
- inflammation of the veins
- pale fingers and toes when the weather is cold
Treatment
Until now there is no treatment that can cure Buerger’s disease. Treatment aims to slow progress and reduce pain. The most important factor is quitting smoking in order to slow down the progress of this disease. Pain can be controlled by avoiding cold weather.
In rare cases, the pain is so severe that it requires a surgical procedure, namely a sympathectomy. This surgical procedure cuts the sympathetic nerve tissue that is located around the spine to relieve pain. Consuming lots of fluids and staying active can also improve blood circulation.
Amputation may be performed in patients who have experienced complications, such as gangrene.
Prevention
Quitting or avoiding consuming tobacco including smoking can prevent Buerger’s disease or the progression of this inflammatory blood vessel disease.