Definition

Raynaud's disease and phenomenon are circulatory disorders. During an attack, blood vessels narrow. This causes blood flow to the fingers and sometimes ears, nose, and lips to be severely reduced. Cold temperatures or emotional stress, such as excitement or nervousness, are the usual causes of attacks. Although blood vessels naturally become narrower under these circumstances, Raynaud's is an abnormally exaggerated response.

Constriction of Blood Vessels

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There are two types:

• Primary Raynaud's (Raynaud's Disease)—This is the most common form. Primary Raynaud's occurs by itself, in the absence of other medical conditions.
• Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's Phenomenon)—This is the more severe form. People with secondary Raynaud's also have some other underlying medical condition that is thought to also cause Raynaud's. Some common conditions associated with Raynaud's include:
  • Scleroderma
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sjogren's syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

Causes

The cause of primary Raynaud's is not known, but it is probably related to an abnormality of the sympathetic nervous system. Secondary Raynaud's is believed to be caused by the associated disease.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for Raynaud's syndrome include:

• Sex: female
• Age: 15 to 40 years old
• Jobs or leisure activities: Activities that subject the hands to repeated stress may increase the chance of developing Raynaud's. For example:
  • Typing
  • Playing piano
  • Regular operation of vibrating tools, as in construction
  • Exposure to certain chemicals
• A connective tissue disease
• Diseases of the arteries, including atherosclerosis
• Injuries to the hands or feet, such as wrist fractures or frostbite
• Smoking
• Certain medications, such as:
  • Beta-blockers
  • Cancer chemotherapy
  • Cold remedies
  • Migraine medications containing ergotamine
  • Estrogen-containing medications

Symptoms

An attack of Raynaud's may last a few minutes to a few hours. During an attack, symptoms may include:

• Skin discoloration–during an attack, skin color may change to white, blue, and red.
  • White occurs when the arteries narrow or collapse.
  • Blue appears when the fingers, toes, or other areas are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
  • The skin turns red and may become swollen when the attack subsides and blood returns.
• Throbbing and tingling sensations, stinging, pain, swelling of the affected area. This may occur at the end of the attack as blood flow increases and returns to the extremities.

People with secondary Raynaud's may experience other medical problems related to Raynaud's, such as:

• Skin thinning and ulcerations
• Gangrene (tissue death)
• Many other symptoms related to their underlying connective tissue disorder

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:

• Nailfold capillaroscopy—study of the capillaries under a microscope
• Blood tests—to help distinguish between Raynaud's disease and phenomenon, and to help identify underlying autoimmune conditions:
  • Antinuclear antibody test (ANA)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Treatment

There are several ways to reduce the symptoms of Raynaud's during an attack:

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Raynaud's disease and phenomenon. To prevent symptoms of Raynaud's:

• Stay warm. Avoid cold temperatures when possible.
• Dress in layers.
• Always wear clothing that covers extremities (hats, gloves, socks, etc.).
• Learn to adapt to stressful situations.
• Avoid caffeine .
• Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit .
• Exercise regularly .
• Consider using biofeedback training to control body temperature.
• Avoid the use of medications known to exacerbate Raynaud’s.

To minimize the risk of complications from Raynaud's:

• Keep skin on fingers and toes lubricated and protected.
• Avoid injuries.