Buerger’s Disease Diagnosis
While there are no known specific causes of Buerger’s disease, doctors may need to run different tests to confirm it or to rule out other possibilities with similar signs.
Blood tests
Blood tests are helpful to eliminate other common autoimmune diseases like lupus or diabetes. Doctors may also look into the test results to check if there are also other risk factors that may need to be considered before Buerger disease treatment may take place.
Allen’s Test
The Allen’s test is a way for doctors to check on a person’s blood flow from the arteries to the hands.
To do this test, one must first make a tight fist that squeezes the blood out of the hand. After which, the doctor presses on the arteries on each side of your wrist for your hands to lose their natural color. The speed at which the color returns to your hand may indicate the health of your arteries. Any difficulties in this return or a lag of your hand’s blood flow could suggest a problem. And proper diagnosis can lead to immediate Buerger disease treatment.
Angiogram
An angiography is a procedure that allows doctors to examine the condition of the arteries. CT or MRI scans can be used to perform a non-invasive angiography.
Buerger Disease Treatment
Doctors may present different treatments on a case-to-case basis. But in a general sense, they are more likely to ask a person diagnosed with the disease to quit smoking to minimize its harmful effects and implications.
Other kinds of Buerger disease treatment may involve:
- Medications for the improvement of blood flow
- Intermittent arm/leg compression
- Spinal cord surgery to address the pain
- Amputation
Quitting tobacco or any form of smoking is the most effective Buerger disease treatment. Continued smoking may increase the risk of amputation and other health complications. Keep in mind, it may be hard to quit smoking, but the long-term benefits for your health — and the health of your loved ones — are worth it. Learn more about Other Cardiovascular Issues here.
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