Buerger’s disease is a rare disorder causing pain in fingers and toes. Blood vessels develop inflammation due to blockage in certain areas of hands and feet restricting the blood flow. In severe cases it may lead to tissue death or necrosis warranting to remove the dead tissue surgically. Buerger’s disease can occur to anyone but people who are using tobacco or its products are at high risk. It is largely seen in Asian and Middle East people. There is no treatment for this disease but the symptoms can be managed by giving medications to improve blood flow.
Introduction :
Buerger’s disease also known as thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare phenomenon in which the blood vessels get inflamed due to blood clots and subsequent blockage. It often targets your hands and feet affecting blood vessels causing pain. If left untreated it can gradually damage the tissue inside causing death. Exact cause of this disease is not known.
Buerger’s Disease Causes :
- Buerger’s disease is believed to occur due to excess consumption of tobacco and its products. But what exactly causes this disease is yet a mystery. Smoking and chewing tobacco is believed to be the cause of this disease.
- Scientists believe that some people develop this disease due to genetic predisposition which is beyond our control. There are chances that the body’s immune system would by mistake attack and destroy the artery causing inflammation and pain.
- Buerger’s disease develops due to swelling of arteries and formation of blood clots in the blood vessel. Normal blood flow is affected in the area of swelling causing immense pain. In due course, the underlying tissue would die due to lack of blood supply leading to gangrene.
- Scientists are still researching how tobacco usage increases the risk of Buerger’s disease. As per the data given by the Mayo Clinic, every person diagnosed with this disease is either smoker or tobacco user.