 Risk factors for Buerger's Disease: | |  | | | Addictions |  Cigarette Smoke Damage | Smoking is the cause of Buerger's disease: there is no documentation of occurrence in nonsmokers, implicating cigarette smoking as the primary cause. Recent work suggests that Buerger's disease may be a reaction to tobacco of persons with a specific genetic type or an autoimmune disorder with immune cell sensitivity to some collagen types, which are constituents of blood vessels. |
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Buerger's Disease suggests the following may be present: | | | | | Addictions |  Cigarette Smoke Damage| | Smoking is the cause of Buerger's disease: there is no documentation of occurrence in nonsmokers, implicating cigarette smoking as the primary cause. Recent work suggests that Buerger's disease may be a reaction to tobacco of persons with a specific genetic type or an autoimmune disorder with immune cell sensitivity to some collagen types, which are constituents of blood vessels. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Proven definite or direct link |
GLOSSARY
Arterial (Arteries, Artery)
Blood that leaves the heart. When it leaves the right ventricle, it is venous blood; and when it leaves the left ventricle, through the aorta, it is fresh and oxygenated. After it has passed out to the capillaries and started to return, it is venous blood.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Claudication
Often Intermittent claudication: Condition caused by interruptions of blood supply to the muscles, characterized by limping and pain chiefly in the calf muscles: symptom characterized by pain during walking.
Collagen
The primary protein within white fibers of connective tissue and the organic substance found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, teeth and bone.
Cramp (Cramping, Cramps)
A sudden, involuntary, painful muscular contraction.
Raynaud's Phenomenon (Raynaud's, Raynauds Disease, Raynaud's Disease, Raynauds Phenomenon, Raynauds Syndrome, Raynaud's Syndrome)
Raynaud's disease or syndrome is a disorder of blood circulation, mainly in the fingers and toes. It is of unknown cause and characterized by changes of the skin that are aggravated by exposure to cold: first, becoming white with numbness and pain as a result of inadequate oxygenation of the blood, then red/purple with a burning sensation. The sudden constriction of blood vessels causes decreased blood flow to the extremities and can, in extreme cases, lead to gangrene. Also called "white finger", "wax finger" or "dead finger".
Thrombophlebitis
Venous inflammation with formation of clots. It can occur without any symptoms until the clot reaches the lungs. However, in about half of cases, there are warning symptoms including swelling, pain and warmth in the entire calf, ankle, foot, or thigh (depending on where the involved vein is located).
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
Vascular
Relating to the blood vessels of the body. The blood vessels of the body, as a group, are referred to as the vascular system. They are composed of arteries, veins and capillaries - arteries that pass oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the body; veins which return oxygen-depleted blood from the tissues to the lungs for oxygen; and the capillaries that are the tiniest vessels and are between the arteries and veins.
Last updated: Apr 13, 2008
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