This is a rare condition that negatively affects arteries and veins in the arms and legs. While it is often called Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans. In people with this disease, blood vessels become blocked. As a result, blood flow to the limbs is reduced, which allows blood clots to form. These blood clots may narrow or block the arteries and veins.
Lack of blood flow may lead to damage to the skin tissue over time. Therefore, when skin tissue is damaged or destroyed, it may lead to an infection and gangrene (death of body tissue). In most cases, this condition happens in the feet and may then affect the hand’s blood vessels. When the disease progresses, it may allow blood clot formation in the small veins of the legs and arms.
Almost all people with Buerger’s disease smoke cigarettes or other forms of tobacco. However, the only way to stop this disease is through smoking cessation. When people do not quit smoking, surgery to remove the finger may be needed.
Symptoms
Those who suffer from this condition usually experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
- Skin color changes (the skin may look pale gray, red, or blue, depending on your skin color)
- Toes and fingers may turn white, then blue when exposed to cold (this condition is also known as Raynaud’s disease)
- Pain during walking, which makes walking long distances difficult
- Open sores on toes and fingers
- Blood clots that often cause vein inflammation
If you experience any previous symptoms or any others that cause concerns, immediately visit your healthcare provider.
Causes
While healthcare professionals do not know the exact cause of Buerger’s disease, some studies have shown that the disease is strongly linked with tobacco use. Experts think that chemicals in tobacco cause damage to the blood vessel lining.
However, certain genes can also contribute to the development of this disease. In addition, there are certain autoimmune conditions that may also cause damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels.
Risk Factors
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for Buerger’s disease, including any type of tobacco. For instance, people who smoke cigarettes are at equal risk of developing the disease as those who chew tobacco or use cigars. However, this condition is mostly diagnosed in specific areas, including the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia.
Some studies have shown that long-term marijuana (cannabis) use also elevates the risk of blood vessel problems that are very similar to those of Buerger’s disease.
Other factors that also increase the risk of developing the disease are being male and younger than 45 years old. Some research identified a connection between chronic gum infections in the mouth and elevated risk of Buerger’s disease. However, more studies are needed to confirm this connection.
What Are The Potential Complications of Buerger’s Disease?
If the condition worsens, it may cause some complications. One of them is reduced blood flow to the affected areas. Some people may have open sores that do not heal. These sores significantly increase the risk of gangrene without treatment. The most common gangrene symptoms include black or blue skin, loss of feeling in fingers or toes, and a foul smell from the affected area. Generally, gangrene is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. Otherwise, your doctor will remove the affected finger or toe.
How to Prevent Buerger’s Disease?
Almost all people with this disease have smoked or used other forms of tobacco (such as chewing gum). The only sure way to prevent this condition is to avoid tobacco products. However, quitting smoking may be challenging. If you face problems with smoking cessation, it is advised to discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Diagnosis
In general, there are no tests that can confirm the condition. That’s why physicians perform the following tests to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Examples include:
- Blood tests – Doctors usually perform blood tests to check for chronic health conditions that cause similar symptoms. These include diabetes, blood-clotting disorders, autoimmune conditions (such as scleroderma or lupus), and others.
- A physical examination – During this procedure, doctors will assess the arteries in the feet and hands to evaluate how blood flows through these vessels.
- CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the blood vessels – These imaging tests provide detailed images of the arteries and the blood flowing through them. During these procedures, doctors may inject a special dye to obtain clearer images.
- Angiogram of the feet and hands – This test helps identify a narrowed or blocked artery in the body. It may identify blockages even in very small blood vessels. Angiogram involves a long and flexible tube (also called a catheter) that is inserted into a blood vessel.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition. That’s why treatment focuses on quitting smoking, reducing the symptoms, and preventing complications. For instance, even one cigarette per day may worsen the disease.
People who have this disease and are smokers should get medical help right away. Moreover, any nicotine replacement product is not an option because it can still worsen the condition. Discuss with your doctors about ways to quit smoking.
However, physicians may also recommend other treatments, including medicines, compression therapy, and surgery. Anyway, the best option is smoking cessation.
Medications
There are some medicines that may improve blood flow, such as blood pressure medicines. Physicians may also recommend Aspirin to prevent blood clots.
In severe cases, doctors often prescribe a medicine called Bosentan. Generally, this medicine is used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). However, some studies have shown that it may help improve blood flow in people with Buerger’s disease.
Additionally, depending on your situation, physicians may recommend pain relievers and topical medicines to heal skin sores.
Therapies
Some people with Buerger’s disease may choose treatment without medicines. It is called compression therapy or intermittent pneumatic compression pumping and involves pressure on the affected part of the body to improve blood flow.
Surgery
In severe cases, when the blood does not flow to the fingers or toes, the tissue may die. Therefore, you’ll need surgery to remove dead tissue from the affected area. This procedure is also known as amputation.
Home Remedies
The following tips may help lessen the symptoms and prevent serious complications. For example:
- Regular physical exercise – It is advised to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day. It may help improve blood flow.
- Check your skin regularly – People with Buerger’s disease may experience a loss of feeling in the fingers, toes, and other body areas. As a result, you may not notice a skin injury.
- Clean cuts and scrapes – Reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes significantly increases the risk of infections. It is advised to clean cuts and scrapes to prevent germs from entering the body.
- You should have regular dental checkups because chronic gum diseases are linked with Buerger’s disease.
- Avoid tobacco products – The best way to manage the symptoms and prevent complications is to avoid any tobacco products. Furthermore, marijuana (cannabis) may also worsen the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Buerger’s disease be cured?
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure the disease, but early detection and proper treatment may help improve the symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications (such as gangrene). Moreover, the main treatment for Buerger’s disease is to quit smoking.
What is the life expectancy of someone with Buerger’s disease?
Generally, the 10-year survival rate is about 98%. However, this rate decreases at 20 and 30 years after diagnosis. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
What mimics Buerger’s disease?
There are some health conditions that cause similar symptoms and can be mistaken for Buerger’s disease. Check below some examples:
- Vasculitis
- Endocarditis
- Atherosclerosis
- Severe Raynaud’s syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Critical limb ischemia
- Intermittent claudication
- Peripheral artery disease
- Scleroderma and others
This document does not contain a full list of conditions that can be mistaken for Buerger’s disease. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
