Buerger's disease is a rare autoimmune condition. It is characterized by a combination of acute inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of the arteries and veins in the hands and feet. Buerger's disease is rare in the United States, but is more common in the Middle East and Far East. It most commonly affects people between the ages of 20-40 years and affects men three times as often as women. Buerger's disease is greatly associated with heavy to moderate tobacco use (both cigarette and smokeless). It has been postulated that Buerger's Disease is an ?autoimmune? reaction (one in which the body's immune system attacks the body's own tissues) triggered by some constituent of tobacco. Symptoms of reduced blood supply to the arms or legs develop gradually, starting at the fingertips or toes and progressing up the arms or legs, eventually causing gangrene. People may feel coldness, numbness, tingling or burning before their doctor sees any signs of the disease.
Buergers disease is an inflammatry occlusive disease which involves all layers of medium sized and small arteries of the extremitiles. Buerger's Disease occur as a result of inadequate blood supply to the tissues and include tenderness or pain in the feet or hands during exercise (claudication), or when at rest. Other possible symptoms include tingling and/or numbness in the limbs, and Raynaud's phenomenon. There are characteristic pathologic findings of acute inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of arteries and veins of the hands and feet (the lower limbs being more common). Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of Buerger's disease but they do not address the root of the problem. Vascular surgery can sometimes be helpful in treating limbs with poor perfusion secondary to this disease. Use of vascular growth factor and stem cell injections. Amputation is common and more severe in patients who continue to use tobacco.
Treatment for Buerger's Disease Tips
1. Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of Buerger's diseas
2. Vascular surgery can sometimes be helpful in treating limbs with poor perfusion secondary to this disease.
3. Use of vascular growth factor and stem cell injections.
4. Amputation is common and more severe in patients who continue to use tobacco.
5. Gentle massage and warmth to increase circulation
6. Avoid conditions that reduce circulation to the extremities, such as cold temperatures)
7. Avoid sitting or standing in one position for long periods
Hookworm is a parasitic intestinal infection.It may be caused most commonly by necator americanus. Hookworms live only in sandy or loamy soil. Heavy infection with hookworm can create serious health problems for newborns, children, pregnant women, and persons who are malnourished. Hookworm infections is occur mostly in tropical and subtropical climates and are estimated to infect about 1 billion people about one-fifth of the world's population. Two types of hookworm are responsible for hookworm disease in humans. The adult worm of both Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale is about 10 mm long, pinkish-white in color, and curved into an S-shape or double hook. Ancylostoma duodenale is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, northern Asia, and parts of South America.
Hookworm is Second species, Necator americanus was widespread in the southeastern United States early in this century. Life cycle of hookworms begins with the passing of hookworm eggs in human feces and their deposition into the soil. Larval growth is most proliferative in favorable soil that is sandy and moist, with an optimal temperature of 20-30'C. Under these conditions, the larvae hatch in 1 or 2 days to become rhabditiform larvae. Females may lay from 5,000 to 20,000 eggs a day after mating with the male in the host's intestines. These eggs are passed out of the host's body in feces. The eggs enter the soil, where they incubate. After about 48 hours, the immature larval form hatches out of the eggs. These larvae take about six weeks to develop into the mature larval form that is capable of causing human infection. Most people have no symptoms once the worms enter the intestines. However, iron deficiency anemia caused by loss of blood may result from heavy infestation.
Causes of Hookworm Disease
1.Poor sanitation and poverty.
2.Refugees.
3.International adoptees.
4.Recent immigrants.
Symptoms of Hookworm Disease
1.Fever.
2.Chills.
3.Skin rash.
4.Itching.
5.Headache.
6.Facial paralysis.
7.Muscle pains.
8.Joint inflammation.
Treatment of Hookworm Disease
1.Chemotherapeutics available for treatment of hookworm disease include the benzimidazoles, mebendazole and albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate.
2.Benzimidazoles are an effective chemotherapeutic option with cure rates greater than 90% after a full course of treatment.
3.Oral penicillin is usually prescribed for children. When given during the late stages, high-dose ceftriaxone I.V. may be a successful treatment.
4.Some herbs are thought to be effective in treating bacterial diseases like Lyme disease. A popular choice for this purpose is the western herb spilanthes.
5.There is often a recommendation made to increase the amount of protein in the diet to improve nutrition.
6.Involves improving sanitation and avoiding contact with soil in areas with high rates of hookworm infection.
7.Children should be required to wear shoes when playing outside in such areas, and people who are gardening should wear gloves.
8.Iron supplements improve motor and language development in infected children.
9.Anemia is treated with iron supplements. In severe cases, blood transfusion may be necessary