Berger’s Disease or Buerger’s disease affects medium-sized arteries and blood veins surrounding hands and legs causing inflammation and swelling. Most of the patients of Berger’s disease are usually consumers of cigarettes. In extreme conditions, Berger’s disease can lead to adverse effects such as amputation of the part of the body that is affected.

This disease is named after Leo Buerger. He was an Austrian Surgeon and Pathologist who was the first person to accurately discover this condition at Mount Sinai in New York City in 1908.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC SYMPTOMS OF BERGERS DISEASE?

  • Coldness of Hands and Feet
  • Terrible pain in Lower feet and hands especially during rest
  • Improper blood flow in toes and fingers during winters
  • Pale and blue appearing hands and feet
  • Weight loss
  • Painful open Sores in the affected region
  • Abdomen pain
  • Numbness in hands and feet

Usually, Berger’s disease is more common in males aged between 20 to 40 years of age. But in recent years with the increase in women cigarette smokers, the graph is showing a different trend.

CAUSES OF BERGER’S DISEASE

The main cause is smoking or consuming tobacco. It is inferred that tobacco irritates the lining of blood vessels causing this disease. Chainsmokers or the ones who smoke unpurified hand-rolled cigarettes become more prone to this problem.

Besides this, some uncommon causes can be either autoimmune disease which attacks healthy tissues of the body for unspecific reasons. Or in many cases, long-term chronic gum ailments can also cause Berger’s disease.

TREATMENT FOR BERGER’S DISEASE

First of all, it is important to get the diagnosis right before beginning the treatment. Most doctors prefer Angiography (radiography of blood vessels) to understand whether the lack of blood flow is a cause of Berger’s disease or some other related diseases such as Scleroderma and Takayasu’s arteries. Both of these diseases have similar symptoms to Berger’s disease; hence it is of utmost significance to provide your doctor with information of past experiences of smoking (if any). That will help the healthcare provider to pinpoint and arrive at the rightful conclusion.

 Typically, Berger’s disease does not have proper medication to treat the problem. If the patient is a smoker, then quitting cigarettes can bring them remission from this disease. However, doctors provide medicines for relief from inflammation and soreness.

Applying pressure in arms and legs on a regular basis might also help in improving the blood flow in patients. In patients with critical conditions, doctors have to resort to extensive surgeries.

CONCLUSION

Bergers disease is not a complication to be taken lightly. In severe conditions, it can create blockages stopping blood flow to the tissues of arms and feet. When tissues do not get the blood and nutrients, they need to survive they can die causing gangrene. A serious condition such as gangrene can only be cured by amputating the affected part of the body.

Therefore, it is important to take care of your health before it is too late. Quit Smoking Now!