Buerger disease: Year of the Zebra

We all know that smoking is detrimental to our health. From stained teeth to lung cancer, common negative effects of smoking are widely discussed, and rightfully so. To add to an already-long list, smoking is also the biggest risk factor for this week’s rare disease, Buerger Disease. Our blood vessels are the highways of our bodies, transporting oxygen and nutrients where needed. In Buerger Disease, smoking or chewing tobacco triggers damage to the blood vessel walls and causes them to narrow, spasm, and eventually form blood clots. These clots further block the blood flow, cutting off the downstream circulation. This results in symptoms such as pain, coldness, and eventually ulcers or gangrene in severe cases. Many patients get to the point of requiring the amputation of fingers or limbs. This disease usually affects young or middle-aged tobacco users, especially males. The mainstay of treatment is the cessation of smoking. Buerger Disease is also referred to as thromboangiitis obliterans. To learn more about the diagnosis and mechanisms of Buerger Disease, watch the dedicated Osmosis video on YouTube and Osmosis.org.