Raynaud’s disease, or Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the extremities usually, the fingers and toes. It is characterized by occasional attacks, called vasospastic attacks, where the blood vessels in the fingers and toes narrow, when they are exposed to cold temperatures and/or emotional stress.There are two types of Raynaud’s disease, they are primary Raynaud’s disease and secondary Raynaud’s disease.There is no known cause for primary Raynaud’s phenomenon. Primary Raynaud’s disease is more common than the secondary form and often is so mild that the patient never seeks any medical attention. It is more of an annoyance. Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon is a more complex and serious disorder.
Although people of any age can have Raynaud’s phenomenon, it typically begins between the ages of 15 and 25and women are more likely than men to be affected.The symptoms are mild and don’t cause any blood vessel or tissue damage.
Attacks of Raynaud’s phenomenon are caused by an over reactionof the body’s natural response to cold. When a person is exposed to cold, the body’s normal response is to decrease the loss of heat and preserve the core temperature. Blood vessels in the surface of the skin are called thermoregulatory vessels because they reactto changes in thetemperature. To maintain a normaltemperature, these specialized blood vessels in the skin surface constrict and move blood from arteries near the surface to veins deeper in the body.People who have Raynaud’s phenomenon the thermoregulatory vessels over reactto the coldwith intense spasmodic contractions of these small blood vessels that supply blood to the skin of the fingers, toes, ears, and face.When an attack starts, a person may experience three phases (though not all people have all three) of skin color changes – typically from white to blue to red – in the fingers or toes.
During the attack, the fingers or toes may feel cold and numb as blood flow to them is decreased. At the end of the attack the blood flow returns, fingers or toes may throb and tingle.Usually, the blood flow to the skin will remain low until the skin is warmed again.
Most doctors find it fairly easy to diagnose Raynaud’s phenomenon with a complete history and physical exam.Special blood tests may also be needed.About 30 percent of immediate relatives of patients withRaynaud’s phenomenon also have the condition. This suggests that Raynaud’s phenomenon is determined by some unknown genetic trait.
The treatment of primary Raynaud’s disease is to reduce the number and intensity of attacks and to prevent tissue damage. The treatment for patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon is mild becausethey do not get tissue damage. For these patients, doctors recommend non-drug treatments before moving onto prescription medications. For patients with secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon, treatment may be more aggressive and include medications.In the more serious cases, Raynaud’s causes ulcers and serious tissue damage that does not respond to medications. Doctors may choose a surgical procedure called a digital sympathectomy.This procedure may result in reducing symptoms and healing tissue, it only helps temporarily.
The important things to remember about Raynaud’s disease is it is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the extremities usually, the fingers and toes. It is characterized by occasional attacks, called vasospastic attacks, where the blood vessels in the fingers and toes narrow, when they are exposed to cold temperatures and/or emotional stress.Attacks of Raynaud’s phenomenon are caused by an over reactionof the body’s natural response to cold.Most doctors find it fairly easy to diagnose Raynaud’s phenomenon with a complete history and physical exam.The treatment of primary Raynaud’s disease is to reduce the number and intensity of attacks and to prevent tissue damage.