Raynaud phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon is a medical condition where spasm of arteries cause episodes of reduced blood flow. Typically, the fingers, and less commonly the toes, are involved. Rarely, the nose, ears, or lips are affected. The episodes result in the affected part turning white and then blue. Often, numbness or pain occurs. As blood flow returns, the area turns red and burns. The episodes typically last minutes, but can last several hours.

Episodes are often triggered by cold or emotional stress. There are two main types: primary Raynaud's, when the cause is unknown, and secondary Raynaud's, which occurs as a result of another condition. Secondary Raynaud's can occur due to a variety of conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Primary Raynaud's is more common and tends to be less serious. The diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms.

The primary treatment is avoiding the cold. Other measures include the cessation of tobacco smoking and the use of calcium channel blockers. Little evidence supports alternative medicine. Severe disease may rarely be complicated by skin sores or gangrene.

Raynaud's affects about 4% of people. Women are more often affected than men and it typically begins between the ages of 15 and 30. The phenomenon and syndrome are named after the French doctor Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud, who first described the condition in his doctoral thesis in 1862.

Signs and symptoms

The condition can cause pain within the affected extremities, discoloration (paleness), and sensations of cold and/or numbness. This can often be distressing to those who are not diagnosed, and sometimes it can be obstructive. If someone with Raynaud's is placed in a situation of stress or cold, it can be very painful to them and can take a toll on their general health.

Causes

Raynaud's disease is an exaggerated vasospastic response to cold or emotional stress. More specifically, it is a hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system causing extreme vasoconstriction of the peripheral blood vessels, leading to tissue hypoxia. Chronic, recurrent cases of Raynaud phenomenon can result in atrophy of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle. In rare cases it can cause ulceration and ischemic gangrene.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is primarily based on the symptoms. The condition is more common in women than men. People are more likely to have Raynaud's phenomenon if they have a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjögren's syndrome.

Treatment

Avoiding triggers of Raynaud's can help to control the symptoms. These can include cold temperatures, emotional stress, certain medications and chemicals, and certain medical conditions. Medications can be used to help control Raynaud's disease, including calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and vasodilators. In severe cases, nerve surgery or chemical injection may be used.

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions
• List of eponyms in the countable sciences

References

Raynaud phenomenon Resources
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