The circulatory system has several important functions. It gets oxygen from the lungs and delivers it throughout the body. It delivers the nutrients that are absorbed in the intestines. This system also removes waste products. These products are exhaled by the lungs or excreted by the kidneys. As important as the circulatory system is, there are several abnormal diseases that can affect it.
Thromboangiitis Obliterans
This disease also has the name of Buerger's disease. It is a disease that involves the smaller arteries of the hands and feet. Almost everyone who suffers with this disorder smokes cigarettes, according to John Hallett, Jr., M.D., clinical professor of surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." There is inflammation within the arteries and many times, in some of the veins as well. People develop clots that interfere with the flow of blood. They may have a burning or tingling sensation in their hands and feet, or they may feel cold and numb. They can experience pains in their legs and feet. Most people will develop ulcers, which can lead to gangrene.
Takayasu's Arteritis
Arteritis means the inflammation of an artery. Takayasu's arteritis is primarily the inflammation of the aortic arch. Blood leaves the heart through the aorta. It is a large artery and the aortic arch is the curved part of the aorta located near the heart. This disorder usually affects young girls and women. There are approximately 1.2 to 2.6 cases for every one million people, writes Carol Langford, M.D., Director of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research at the Cleveland Clinic in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." As a result of the inflammation and scarring, the passageway inside the aortic arch becomes smaller. People usually develop hypertension. But they may also have weight loss, pain in their joints, fever and night sweats.
Giant Cell Arteritis
This disorder is also referred to as temporal arteritis. It is the inflammation of one or more branches of the carotid artery, especially of the temporal artery in the head. The disease affects women more than men. Most women are 50 years old and older, and have another disease called polymyalgia rheumatica, per Carmen Gota, M.D., of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." In polymyalgia rheumatica, women have pain and stiffness in the shoulders and pelvis. The symptoms of temporal arteritis include weight loss, fever, sweating, severe headaches and vision problems. People may experience temporary vision loss, which can become permanent if this disease is not quickly treated.
Arteriovenous Fistulas
A fistula is an abnormal opening that goes from one part of the body to another. An arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal opening that goes from an artery to a vein. Some people are born with this disorder. Others develop it from trauma or have one surgically created for kidney dialysis. Fistulas from trauma can cause so much blood flow to the heart that people can have heart failure. Fistulas can also cause hemorrhaging in the stomach and intestines, nosebleeds and an increased number of red blood cells, according to Joseph Rapp, M.D., chief of the Vascular Surgery Service at the San Francisco V.A. Medical Center in "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery."
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery"; Gerard Doherty, M.D.; 2010
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Giant Cell Arteritis
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Thromboangiitis Obliterans
