Raynaud's Phenomenon is a disorder of the small blood vessels that feed the skin. During an attack of Raynaud's, these arteries contract briefly, limiting blood flow. This is called a vasospasm. Deprived of the blood's oxygen, the skin first turns white then blue. The skin turns red as the arteries relax and blood flows again. Extremities—hands and feet—are most commonly affected, but Raynaud's can attack other areas such as the nose and ears.Doctors do not completely understand the cause of Raynaud's, but they believe the body's blood vessels overreact to cold. When the body is exposed to cold, the hands and feet lose heat rapidly. To conserve heat, the body reduces the amount of blood flowing to these areas by narrowing the small arteries that supply them with blood. In persons with Raynaud's, these small blood vessels overrespond to cold. For example, reaching into a refrigerator may trigger an attack.
Cold temperatures are more likely to provoke an attack when the individual is physically or emotionally stressed. For some persons, exposure to cold is not even necessary; stress alone causes vessels to narrow.
Women between the ages of 15 and 50 are most often affected, but anyone can have the problem. It is not known for sure how many people suffer from these symptoms, but Raynaud's is a common problem.
How is Raynaud's diagnosed?
An attack is usually temporary, so the doctor relies on the patient's description to diagnose the problem. The doctor will also determine whether the patient has Raynaud's alone (called primary Raynaud's phenomenon) or if another disease or some aspect of the patient's lifestyle is causing the symptoms. If the problem is caused by another disease or risk factor, the patient is said to have secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.
Is primary Raynaud's different from secondary Raynaud's?
Yes. Primary Raynaud's usually affects both hands and both feet, and the cause is not known for certain. Secondary Raynaud's usually affects either both hands or both feet. Causes of secondary Raynaud's can be identified. Smoking is one cause. Some drugs may also cause this form of Raynaud's phenomenon. These include:
Other medical conditions that may cause secondary Raynaud's phenomenon include:
- Scleroderma—a thickening and hardening of the skin and other body tissues
- Systemic lupus Erythematosus—a chronic inflammation of the skin and organ systems
- Rheumatoid arthritis—a chronic inflammation and swelling of tissue in the joints
- Blood flow reduction—problems that slow or stop blood flow in a vessel. These include inflammation and hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- Nerve problems—problems that affect the nerves supplying the muscles
- Pulmonary hypertension—a condition in which the blood pressure rises in the blood vessels of the lungs
Injuries may also cause Raynaud's phenomenon. They can result from frostbite, surgery, or other causes. For example, regular use of machinery such as chain saws and vibrating drills can hurt blood vessels. Other activities that may aggravate the phenomenon are regular typing and piano playing.
