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Both peripheral arterial disease, which is known to affect the abdominal aorta, its major branches and the arteries of the legs, and coronary artery disease, which is known to lead to heart attacks, are included in occlusive arterial disease. Buerger's disease, Raynaud's disease and acrocyanosis are other forms of peripheral artery disease. In most cases the person with this disease will have atherosclerosis. Even so, a partial or complete occlusion of an artery has been known to result for other reasons such as a blood clot. The best way to prevent this disease is to reduce the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis. Another major cause of peripheral arterial disease is diabetes. Proper treatment of diabetes may delay this disease but once it appears the only known treatment is for the complications.
When the superior mesenteric artery, which is a major branch of the abdominal aorta, is blocked the person can become severely ill with sharp abdominal pain. At the beginning there may be some vomiting and urgent bowel movements and although the abdomen will feel tender when a doctor presses it, this will seem like nothing compared to the previous pain. In some cases the abdomen will become distended and eventually blood will appear in the stool. If the intestinal blockage continues the persons blood pressure will drop and they may go into shock. In this case the prognosis will depend on how fast the blood supply is restored. Narrowing of the arteries in the arms and legs will begin with symptoms such as painful aching, tired muscles and cramping. This is called intermittent claudication. As this disease progresses it becomes more and more difficult to walk without pain. The limb will get worse when it is elevated and the pain will often prevent sleep. In some cases sores will appear on the legs or feet. The best treatment is to exercise. Drugs may be prescribed to help improve the oxygen delivery to the muscles.
Buerger's disease is triggered by smoking and causes the obstruction of small and medium arteries and veins. In most cases the pulse will be weak or absent in one or more arteries of the wrist or feet. The fingers or toes may become pale when raised above the heart and in severe cases people may develop skin ulcers. The best treatment for this disease is to quit smoking. If this disease worsens there is a possibility of amputation of the affected limb.
Raynaud's disease causes the small arteries or arterioles, in most cases in the toes and fingers, to go into spasms. This causes the skin to become patchy red to blue or pale. In most cases this disease affects young women and it is believed to be caused by scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, a decrease in thyroid activity, injury, reaction to some drugs or nerve disorders. With this disease the arterial spasms appear to be brought on by things that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system such as cold or emotional occurrences. The spasms appear quickly and may last for only minutes but can last for hours. In most cases doctors will treat the underlying disorder with mild sedatives and having the person protect the arms, legs, and trunk of the body from cold. Acrocyanosis causes a painless blueness in both hands due to spasms of the small blood vessels of the skin. Drugs are prescribed to dilate the arteries although this condition is not painful.
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