Buerger's Disease

Also known as Thromboangiitis Obliterans, is an inflammatory thrombosis of small and medium sized arteries in hands and legs. this disease is highly related to SMOKING (almost 100%), predominantly effects men aged 20-40. the first symptom, you'll sometime see small blister on your skin, red and sometimes painful. this is called superficial thrombophlebitis which the small vein near to your skin has been inflamed.

superficial phlebitis

as the disease progress (depends on your tobacco consumption), more arteries blocked and less foods and oxygen can reach to your distal extremities, causing more tissues to die. at this point your extremities will feel cold, painful at rest, lessen when you hang your leg at the edge of the bed, the skin color may change from pale to bluish or even darkened (gangrene). pulse at the extremities affected can be weakened or can be no pulse at all. once it become gangrened, it's irreversible. the death tissue will be a favorable place for the bacteria to develop causing infection. since no blood can reach there so your body defense mechanism cannot reach and kill the bacterias. infection will be worse and can be life-threatening. once the leg is unusable and endanger, the only way out is AMPUTATION.

Gangrene

now, to avoid this, prevention steps must be taken. if you are a smoker, STOP SMOKING. a predisposition factor must be eliminated such as high cholesterol, Diabetes Mellitus and stress. so life modification is important. starting by quit smoking, eating healthy food, avoid high cholesterol food and too much salts. eat more fibers, exercise frequently, treat your foot well (a reason for mani/pedicure :p) and SMILE.