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Buerger's Disease

This is one of the diseases covered under the Tobacco Class Action Settlement.

Also known as Thrombangiitis Obliterans, Buerger's is an inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of arteries and veins, usually affecting the hands and feet. Most patients with this disease are heavy smokers. But some cases have been known to occur in those who smoke moderately or use smokeless tobacco It is thought that this disease is an "autoimmune response" to something present in tobacco, causing the body's immune system to attack the body's own tissues.

Angiograms, as above, are used to diagnose this disease, which can oftern mimic other disorders. The diagnostic findings are a "corkscrew" appearance of arteries, blockages and narrowing of the arteries in multiple areas of both arms and legs.

The only way to prevent
the progression of the disease is to abstain from all tobacco products.



Buerger's Disease This is one of the diseases covered under the Tobacco Class Action Settlement. Also known as Thrombangiitis Obliterans, Buerger's is an inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of arteries and veins, usually affecting the hands and feet. Most patients with this disease are heavy smokers. But some cases have been known to occur in those who smoke moderately or use smokeless tobacco It is thought that this disease is an "autoimmune response" to something present in tobacco, causing the body's immune system to attack the body's own tissues. Angiograms, as above, are used to diagnose this disease, which can oftern mimic other disorders. The diagnostic findings are a "corkscrew" appearance of arteries, blockages and narrowing of the arteries in multiple areas of both arms and legs. The only way to prevent the progression of the disease is to abstain from all tobacco products.		Signs & Symptoms Pain induced by insufficient blood flow in the feet and/or hands (claudication) during excercise Pain in feet and/or hands at rest Numbness and/or tingling in the limbs Fingers, toes, hands and feet turn white upon exposure to cold (Raynaud's Phenomenon) Skin ulcerations Gangrene of the fingers and toes with intense pain in the affected areas and may require amputation The disease does not involve other organs such as lungs, kidneys, brain