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- $Unique_ID{BRK02385}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Is Buerger's Disease and Does Smoking Affect It?}
- $Subject{buerger's disease thromboangiitis obliterans jewish clots blockage
- blood circulation claudication smoking flow arteries buerger vessels clot
- block small smoking smoke}
- $Volume{N-4,G-4,G-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What Is Buerger's Disease and Does Smoking Affect It?
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- QUESTION: Would you be so kind as to provide me with information about
- Buerger's Disease? Is this something new? I would also like to know if it
- has anything to do with smoking and if it can be inherited? I hope you can
- fit all this information into you column.
-
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-
- ANSWER: Buerger's Disease is not a new medical entity as it was described by
- Dr. L. Buerger in 1908. He named the disease "thromboangiitis obliterans" and
- later listed 10 criteria needed for the diagnosis of the disease. Originally,
- it was thought that the condition was primarily a disease of Jewish persons,
- but is now seen in all types of people throughout the world. It does seem to
- run in families though, and so may be inherited in some fashion. The disease
- is one of inflammation of small blood vessels resulting in the formation of
- clots and leading to a blockage of the blood circulation. Patients feel
- numbness in their extremities, associated with feelings of cold. Legs become
- painful after walking, a condition known as claudication. Yes, it is related
- to smoking, and frequently, abstinence from smoking may stop the progression
- of the disease, and the reduction in the severity of the symptoms. The
- condition may be treated with medications that increase the blood flow in
- arteries.
-
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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.
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-