Raynaud's disease is a rare disorder that involves the arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of the body. Raynaud's disease changes how blood flows through the arteries to the skin.
During an episode of Raynaud's, the arteries constrict (become narrow). Blood does not flow well to the skin's surface and causes the skin to change from its normal color to blue (because of the lack of oxygen-rich blood). The skin may also feel numb and cold. A Raynaud's episode can last from several minutes to an hour or more.
Once an episode is over, the skin turns red as the blood rushes back through the arteries. The skin begins to tingle or throb as it warms up again. It can take up to 15 minutes for blood flow to return to normal.
Raynaud's disease usually affects the fingers and toes. In rare instances, it also may affect the nose, ears, nipples and lips.
While most people have no long-term tissue damage or disability from the disease, those with severe Raynaud's can develop skin sores or infections from long or repeated attacks.
There are two types of Raynaud's disease:
Primary Raynaud's disease is the most common type, making up about 80% of the cases. Primary Raynaud's occurs when the blood vessels in the hands or feet overreact to stress or cold temperatures. Often, people who have primary Raynaud's have mild symptoms that can be treated with lifestyle changes.
Secondary Raynaud's syndrome occurs in people who have some other health problem that leads to or triggers Raynaud's syndrome. Secondary Raynaud's is a more serious disease that can require both medicine and lifestyle changes to manage. Secondary Raynaud's may be related to:
Some medicines also can trigger Raynaud's:
Raynaud's disease affects about 3% to 5% of people. It is most common in women and occurs more often in colder climates.
Primary Raynaud's usually occurs between 15 and 25 years of age. People who have a family history of the disease are at a greater risk.
Secondary Raynaud's occurs later in life, usually in people 30 years of age and older. Certain diseases (see above), medicines (see above), smoking, injuries to the hands or feet, frostbite, chemical exposure, and occupations that involve repetitive motion or vibration have also been linked to Raynaud's disease.
Your doctor will likely check your medical history to find out if you have relatives with Raynaud's or health conditions that are linked to Raynaud's. Your doctor may ask about your symptoms, especially when you are cold or stressed.
A physical exam will help determine if you have Raynaud's or some other problem that can cause similar symptoms. Your doctor may examine your fingernails to check the blood vessels there. He or she may trigger a Raynaud's episode using cold water or air to see your response. Blood tests also may be used to identify the form of the disease or if other diseases are causing your symptoms.
Both types of Raynaud's are lifelong conditions. To date, no cure has been found. But research is under way to improve diagnosis and treatment. And lifestyle changes can help with the symptoms.
Medicines that help Reynaud's symptoms include:
New medicines for people whose Raynaud's symptoms don't seem to be controlled by other methods include fluoxetine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as cilostazol, sildenafil and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan.
Sometimes the affected area can be injected with a medicine that helps block the nerves that are triggering the blood vessel changes. This treatment may be needed more than once.
If your Raynaud's is especially serious—for example, if lack of blood flow is so extreme you could lose a finger or toe—you may need surgery to improve the blood flow to your fingers and toes, or surgery or shots to block the nerves that control the arteries. In rare cases, damaged or destroyed tissue may need to be treated or removed.
If another condition is causing secondary Raynaud's disease, you may need treatment for that condition. Talk to your doctor about your options.
See your doctor often for ongoing care. Contact your doctor right away if symptoms occur on only one side of your body, or if you get sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes.
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