Young smokers at risk. The silent disease that can lead to limb amputation

According to statistical studies, Buerger's disease affects men three times more often than women. Young people who smoke cigarettes are most likely to develop this disease.

Despite significant advancements in medicine, experts have yet to pinpoint an exact cause. Some believe that thromboangiitis obliterans might be triggered by complications following a bacterial or viral infection, an impaired immune system, or genetic predispositions.

Buerger's disease's symptoms mirror those of peripheral artery disease. They typically start with thrombotic changes, followed by fibrosis of small and medium arteries, veins, or other organs. In most instances, the disease targets the lower limbs, less frequently the vessels of the upper limbs. Symptoms of Buerger's disease can encompass ailments such as tingling of hands and feet, fingers turning blue and pale, pain while walking, decreased tolerance to cold, and transient and recurring limb pain. If there are advanced necrotic changes, amputation of a part of the limb becomes inevitable.

Among other symptoms, he developed necrotic changes to his fingers, lost nails, had a weak pulse in one limb, experienced muscle weakness, and loss of sensation in certain areas of his upper limbs. Sadly, the advanced stage of the disease required surgeons to amputate his fingers. The man, a smoker for 15 years, was also a diabetic.