Causes of Buerger's disease

What causes Buerger's disease?

Causes: Buerger's disease: Tobacco use

Related information on causes of Buerger's disease:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Buerger's disease may be found in:

• Risk factors for Buerger's disease
• Genetics of Buerger's disease

Causes of Buerger's disease: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Buerger's disease.

Peripheral Edema: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

• Venous insufficiency
  –Caused by incompetent venous valves
  –Skin characteristically has superficial varicose veins associated with a reddish-brown pretibial discoloration (“venous stasis skin changes”)
  –Swelling is typically worse after legs are held in a dependent position and is least noticeable after a night's sleep
• Congestive heart failure
  –Associated with pitting peripheral edema
  –Other signs of heart failure include a third heart sound, cardiomegaly, and hepatomegaly
• Cellulitis
  –Usually unilateral
  –Edematous legs are typically red, warm, and inflamed
  –The patient may exhibit signs of systemic toxicity with fever and leukocytosis
  • Deep venous thrombosis
    –Typically unilateral swelling
    –May exhibit a palpable cord representing a thrombosed vein
    –Homan's sign (pain in the calf with passive dorsiflexion of the foot)
    –Virchow's triad (hypercoagulable states, venous stasis, and vessel injury) are risk factors
  • Cirrhosis
    –Advanced liver disease results in hypoalbuminemia and poor venous return through cirrhotic liver tissue
    –Other stigmata of chronic liver disease include caput medusae, ascites, and spider angiomata
  • Nephrotic syndrome
    –Glomerular damage results in protein loss and decreased oncotic pressure
  • Less common etiologies (“zebras”) include filariasis (lymphatic infection by Wuchereria bancrofti worm), myxedema (seen in patients with severe hypothyroidism), Milroy's disease (congenital lymphedema), chronic lymphedema (e.g., lymphatic damage due to surgery, such as vein harvesting for CABG), and gout

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Buerger's disease: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Buerger’s disease is caused by vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels, primarily of the hands and feet. The vessels become constricted or totally blocked, reducing blood flow to the tissues and resulting in pain and, eventually, damage.

This disorder occurs in 6 of every 10,000 people. Incidence is highest among males ages 20 to 40 who have a history of smoking or chewing tobacco. It may be associated with a history of Raynaud’s disease and may occur in people with autoimmune disease.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Buerger's disease: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Although the cause of Buerger’s disease is unknown, a definite link to smoking exists. Incidence is higher in Asians and people of Eastern European descent, especially among men younger than age 40.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003