$Unique_ID{BRK01101}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Causes of "Vibration" Disease}
$Subject{vibration Raynaud's Ill Defined Symptoms symptom circulatory
circulation pneumatic hammer vibrating tool tools artery spasm spasms arteries
hand hands finger fingers}
$Volume{N-4,G-4}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Causes of "Vibration" Disease


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QUESTION:  Sometime ago it seemed as if you were inviting your audience to
submit unusual diseases for you to research.  If you are still interested, I
would like to offer one.  It is called simply "vibration".  My father was a
sufferer.

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ANSWER:  An interesting challenge, and worth the effort.  Actually I found
most of the information listed under the title "pneumatic hammer", for
vibration is a condition that occurs in individuals who used vibrating tools.
After a period of time, these patients, when exposed to cold, would lose the
circulation in the hand that was nearest to the working end of the tool.  In
fact, the situation is very much like Raynaud's Disease, from which it must be
distinguished.  Raynaud is more common in women than men in about a 5 to 1
ratio, and results in spasm of the arteries of the fingers, reducing their
circulating blood.  There are no specific changes in the arteries in
vibration, or any special diagnostic tests.  It is a diagnosis made by history
and examination.  Relief from the attack is obtained by vigorous rubbing of
the hands and immersing them in warm water.  Patients are frequently advised
to change their occupation.  Perhaps of some interest to you, it was described
in the President's Monthly Report of The Stonecutter's Journal in 1917.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.