What is Buerger's disease and how dangerous is it?

Buerger disease mainly occurs in men who are addicted to drugs, which leads to skin tissue damage, even necrosis, to the point of need.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Buerger is a rare form of disease that affects the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. It causes the blood vessels to become inflamed, swollen and produce blood clots, hindering the circulation of blood in the body.

This disease mainly occurs in male smokers.

Buerger causes skin tissue damage and pain, severe cases can lead to necrosis. The disease usually begins in the hands and feet and then spread to the arms and calves with signs such as:

• Pain in the calf, foot or arm, hand.
• Shallow phlebitis under the skin.
• Fingers and toes turn gray when exposed to the cold.
• Finger and toe ulcers.

Scientists have not yet identified the cause of Buerger, but most patients are addicted to tobacco or other forms of tobacco such as chewing tobacco. In addition, genes and autoimmune reactions may play an important role. The disease mainly occurs in men under 45 years old.

Quitting smoking is the best way to delay the progression and reduce the severity of Buerger disease. Besides, doctors can use drugs with vasodilatory procedure, lumbar sympathetic nerve cutting method, inject vascular growth factor or stem cells to intervene for patients. In the case of limb necrosis, the limb is an essential measure.