sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Buerger's disease: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for signs of a sudden, severe loss of blood flow, including:

    • Abrupt and intense limb pain
    • A hand, foot, finger, or toe that suddenly becomes pale or cold
    • New loss of feeling
    • Sudden weakness or inability to move the affected area
    • Rapidly spreading discoloration

    Emergency assessment is also appropriate for confusion, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a healthcare professional promptly if a new sore develops, an existing wound becomes larger, or pain begins occurring at rest.

    New redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or fever may indicate an infection and deserves same-day medical advice.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up is usually coordinated with a vascular specialist.

    Visits may include an examination of pulses, skin temperature, color, wounds, pain, and walking or hand function.

    Blood-flow testing may be repeated if symptoms change.

    Routine follow-up is important even after tobacco has been stopped.

    A clinician can monitor healing, support continued abstinence, adjust pain management, and address other factors that affect circulation.

    These symptoms are not typical routine features of Buerger's disease and may have another serious cause.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Buerger's disease. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.