Buerger disease, a dangerous disease that attacks smokers & bull; hello healthy

Smoking has become a habit for some people, especially in Indonesia. The number of people aged ≥15 years who smoke and chew tobacco tends to increase from year to year. According to the Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS) of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, this increase was shown in Riskesdas 2007 (34.2%), Riskesdas 2010 (34.7%) and Riskesdas 2013 (36.3%).

Smoking habits cause many medical problems, namely lung cancer, oral cancer, and vascular disease. One of the vascular diseases that only affects smokers is called Buerger disease.

What is Buerger disease?

Buerger's Disease or in the medical world it is called Thromboangiitis Obliterans is a disease of the blood vessels (arteries & veins) which specifically attacks the limbs and rarely on the internal organs. The disorder is in the form of inflammation and blockage by thrombus in the affected area, especially the small and medium blood vessels in the feet and hands. The blockage and inflammation that occurs causes the ends of the limbs to be deprived of oxygen, die, then rot.

Almost 100% of cases of Buerger's Disease attack smokers in young adults. This disease is common in Korea, Japan, Indonesia, India and other countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Deaths resulting from Buerger's disease are still rare, but in patients with this disease who continue to smoke, 43% of sufferers have had one or more amputations 6–7 years later.

Why does Buerger disease only affect smokers?

Cigarettes contain approximately 4000 substances, and 200 of them are harmful to health. The main toxins in cigarettes are nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. There are various types of cigarettes on the market, namely white cigarettes, kretek, and cigar cigarettes. White cigarettes contain 14 - 15 mg of tar and 5 mg of nicotine, while clove cigarettes contain about 20 mg of tar and 4 - 5 mg of nicotine. This shows that the tar and nicotine content in kretek cigarettes is higher than white cigarettes. The tar and nicotine content in cigars is highest due to its larger size. How do these 3 substances cause Buerger's Disease? Check out the following explanation.

1. Nicotine

Nicotine can damage nerves, disrupt the function of the brain and heart. Nicotine can also irritate the sympathetic nervous system by stimulating the release of adrenaline, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and heart oxygen demand, and causing heart rhythm disturbances. In blood vessels, nicotine functions to call platelet blood cells and causes platelets to stick to the walls of blood vessels. This buildup triggers inflammation so that more waste builds up on the walls of the blood vessels which results in constriction. Narrowing of the blood vessels at the ends of the body (toes and fingers) due to nicotine will increase the risk of atherosclerosis. This narrowing causes the flow to be blocked so that the less blood will die and rot.

2.Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas has a strong tendency to bind to hemoglobin in erythrocytes. Hemoglobin should bind to oxygen to be distributed throughout the body. In fact, the level of CO gas in the blood of nonsmokers is less than 1%, while in the blood of smokers it reaches 4-15%. Automatically in smokers, CO will reduce oxygen delivery to tissues throughout the body. Carbon monoxide also interferes with the release of oxygen, accelerates atherosclerosis, and increases blood viscosity, making it easier for blood to clot. This combination causes blocked flow to the ends of the body so that these parts quickly decompose due to lack of oxygen.

3. Tar

Tar is a solid component of cigarette smoke which is a carcinogen. When a cigarette is inhaled, tar enters the oral cavity in the form of solid vapor. When it cools, the tar will become solid and form brown deposits on the surface of the teeth, respiratory tract, and lungs. This precipitation varies between 3 - 40 mg per cigarette. Tar is also believed to cause damage to the walls of blood vessels, which can lead to piles of trash which then clog.

What are the symptoms of Buerger's disease?

The first symptom is claudication or pain when walking.
The initial phase shows reddish skin, a little pain, and the vein is palpable as a hardened channel a few millimeters to centimeters under the skin. This disorder often appears in several places on the extremity and lasts for several weeks. After that, there was a lumpy mark.
In more severe blockages, the pain is more intense and lasts longer, even pain at rest.
Sufferers often experience phenomena Raynaud, a condition in which the tips of the body (fingers, heels, hands, feet) turn white when exposed to cold temperatures.
Chills, numbness, tingling, burning sensation in the tips of the toes or fingers.
Muscle cramps, usually in the soles of the feet or legs.
Bluish fingers and toes which then turn black and rot.
There is no pulse in the part that lacks blood flow.
Muscles atrophy or shrink.
The bones have osteoporosis and when decay occurs there is bone damage that develops into osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bones).

Do you have the potential to catch Buerger's disease?

There is a score that can be calculated to determine if a smoker may develop Buerger's disease at a later date. Come on, calculate your score through the score below.