Smoking can lead to a serious condition that is costing many Bangaloreans their limbs. If walking is something you enjoy, quit the habit before you need amputation, say experts
Smoking can lead to a serious condition that is costing many Bangaloreans their limbs. If walking is something you enjoy, quit the habit before you need amputation, say experts
It is a little known fact but smoking tobacco can cause gangrene infections in the legs, a serious side effect of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).
It's dangerous
Doctors across the city warn smokers of the dangers of smoking, which can result in the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques on the inner linings of the blood vessels, which then become narrow. When the arteries that carry blood to the legs become narrow because of such deposit buildups, the blood flow is reduced and the leg muscles do not get enough oxygen. This causes pain and is called Ischaemia.
Smoking kills
"PVD is usually caused by smoking," said Dr B C Srinivas, Professor of Cardiology, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences. "Smokers are also two and a half times more likely to develop PVD than non-smokers.
73 per cent of PVD cases in men and 27 per cent of PVD cases in women in India are caused due to smoking," he added. Lack of a proper lifestyle is leading to younger people suffering from this problem. "Stress is another major factor," says Dr Srinivas.
PVDs attack
"The damage is maximum in the toes followed by infections in the foot, ankle and then the leg," said Dr Srinivas, adding that, "it usually leads to damaged tissues or what is normally called gangrene." Invariably, a block in the legs' blood vessels means a block in the heart and brain. "These patients are bound to suffer in the future from a heart attack or stroke." A family history of pre-mature blocks also does play a role.
"When the legs' blood vessels become narrow with a blockage of 70 per cent, a person will experience pain while walking, but if the blockage is over 90 per cent, then amputation is one of the few options left," said Dr Srinivas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
