Buerger’s Disease – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, affects the blood vessels in the arms and legs. This rare condition causes blockages in arteries and veins, reducing blood flow to extremities.
Blood clots commonly form in the affected vessels, particularly in small veins of the limbs.
The reduced circulation leads to serious tissue damage over time. Without proper blood flow, skin tissue becomes damaged or dies. This can progress to infection and gangrene (tissue death).
Symptoms typically start in the feet before potentially spreading to affect the hands.
Tobacco use has a strong connection to Buerger’s disease. Nearly all patients with this condition smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products like chewing tobacco.
Treatment Focus:
Completely stopping all tobacco use is essential and serves as the primary treatment. This is the only effective way to halt disease progression. Patients who continue using tobacco products may ultimately require surgical amputation of affected fingers or toes.
Signs and Body Changes
People with Buerger’s disease may experience several physical changes in their hands and feet. These changes can start mild but become more serious over time.
Fingers and toes might feel tingly or numb. Skin color can change to pale gray, red, or blue tones. These color changes may be more or less noticeable depending on your natural skin tone.
When exposed to cold, fingers and toes might turn white then blue. This reaction is known as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Pain often develops in the feet while walking, which can limit how far someone can walk comfortably. Some people develop painful open sores on their fingers and toes. In severe cases, pain may occur even at rest.
Another symptom is inflammation just under the skin caused by blood clots in veins.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any of these symptoms, especially color changes, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet, contact a healthcare provider promptly.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the condition better and potentially prevent serious complications.
Causes
The root cause of Buerger’s disease remains unknown. However, tobacco use shows a strong connection to this condition. Chemicals found in tobacco products may damage blood vessel linings.
Some people might have genetic factors that increase their risk of developing this disease. The body’s immune system could also play a role, possibly attacking healthy tissues by mistake.
Scientists continue to study these potential causes to better understand how Buerger’s disease develops and progresses.
Risk Factors
Tobacco use stands as the main risk factor for Buerger’s disease. This includes cigarettes, cigars, and chew tobacco. The disease rarely appears in non-tobacco users.
People in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia show higher rates of this disease, which matches with higher smoking rates in these areas.
Other key risk factors include:
- Being male
- Age under 45 years
- Long-term marijuana (cannabis) use may cause similar blood vessel problems
- Chronic gum infections (though more research is needed)
Complications
Buerger disease reduces blood flow to the hands and feet. When the disease progresses, the lack of blood supply to affected areas can create painful, non-healing sores. These open wounds may develop into gangrene, a serious tissue death condition.
Signs of gangrene include:
- Discoloration (black or blue skin)
- Numbness in affected digits
- Foul odor from the affected area
Gangrene requires immediate medical attention. Without proper treatment, the condition can worsen rapidly. Most cases require surgical intervention to remove the affected tissue, which may include fingers, toes, or larger portions of the extremities.
Prevention
Stopping tobacco use is the key to preventing Buerger disease. Almost everyone with this condition has used tobacco products.
If you currently smoke or use tobacco in any form, quitting is essential.
Giving up tobacco can be challenging. Speak with your healthcare provider about effective quitting strategies and support options.
They can recommend appropriate methods based on your specific needs and situation.
