In present days a rare disease has affected people, called Buerger’s disease or Thromboangiitis Obliterans which harms the blood vessels in your hands, feet, arms and legs. It can cause pain, damage to the skin and tissues and even lead to amputation if not treated. Tobacco specially smoking, is the main cause of this disease. The good news is that skip smoking can help your body heal and lower the risk of this serious problems.
It causes inflammation and clots in the small and medium arteries and veins which can block blood flow. This leads to pain and tissue damage especially in the fingers and toes.
The main trigger for this disease is tobacco use including smoking and chewing. Quitting tobacco is the most important step to manage and possibly stop the progression of the disease.
This disease is not common. In the U.S., only about 12 to 20 out of every 100,000 people have it. It mostly affects:
- People between ages 20 and 45
- Basically affects men but women also affected by it.
- Those who smoke or use tobacco regularly
Symptoms usually start slowly and may include:
- Pain or tingling might happen in your hands or feet, even without moving
- Pain when walking (claudication)
- Skin sores on fingers or toes
- Color changes in the skin (red, blue or pale)
- Cold, numb fingers or toes
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (fingers/toes turn white or blue in cold)
- Ulcers or gangrene (in advanced stages)
The exact cause isn’t fully known but it’s strongly linked to tobacco. Scientists believe substances in tobacco may damage blood vessels. Genetics and possibly autoimmune responses might also play a role.
Serious complications can arise from Buerger’s disease if it remains untreated, including:
- Permanent tissue damage
- Infection or gangrene
- Amputation of fingers or toes
- Rarely, issues with the brain, heart or intestines
Doctors may perform to diagnose:
- A physical medical test and previous history review
- Imaging tests like ultrasounds, angiograms or MRIs
- Blood and urine test must for other possible conditions.
- There’s no cure but quitting all tobacco and nicotine (including vaping and marijuana) is key. Even one cigarette per day can make the disease worse.
Treatment options may include:
- Medications: To improve blood flow, reduce inflammation and prevent clots or infection
- Therapies: Pain relief through spinal cord stimulation or compression therapy
- Surgery: If the condition is severe, surgery might be required to either enhance blood flow or eliminate the damaged tissue
Living with Buerger’s Disease
Managing the disease means:
- Stopping all tobacco use completely
- Avoiding cold environments
- Taking prescribed medications regularly
- Protecting affected areas from injury
- Around half of those who continue smoking may eventually need a finger or toe amputated. Those who quit rarely do.
Contact your doctor if needed:
- Your symptoms worsen
- You notice new sores or color changes
- You need help quitting smoking
Buerger’s disease is serious but stopping tobacco use can make a huge difference. Many people see major improvement when they quit. If you or someone you know is struggling to quit, talk to a healthcare provider, they can help with support and treatment options.
