Raynaud’s syndrome is a disease that causes constriction in the small vessels of the fingers and toes. This restricts blood flow and causes skin discoloration, coldness, pain, or tingling. Cold weather and stress are the primary triggers of Raynaud’s attack. Many people have mild symptoms that can be controlled with lifestyle changes, but some can be severe and dangerous. For this reason, we suggest you stay with us until the end of the article to learn more about this disease.
What is Raynaud’s syndrome?
The body’s reaction to cold and stress causes periodic spasms called vasospastic attacks. Raynaud’s syndrome is a disorder that affects the small blood vessels of the fingers and toes and may also affect the blood vessels of the nose, lips, nipples, knees, and eardrums.
During a Raynaud’s attack, the arteries and capillaries in the fingers become narrower than they should be. As a result, the affected area’s skin turns white and then bruises. This change in skin color is caused by the lack of oxygen in the blood. At this time, you may feel cold and numb in your skin. As the blood vessels relax and expand again, the skin may turn red, and you may feel tingling. The attack usually lasts about 15 minutes.
Types of Raynaud’s Syndrome
This syndrome has two types: primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) and secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon). The difference between these two types of syndrome is written in the following table:
| Primary Raynaud’s | Secondary Raynaud’s | |
| the reason | It is not clear and is not related to the underlying disease. | The underlying disease, conditions, medication, and lifestyle play a role. |
| signs | It is usually mild and includes skin discoloration, numbness, pain, and tingling. | It may be mild or severe and cause ulcers or gangrene of the skin. |
| Prevalence | It is more common. | It is less common. |
| treatment-changing | lifestyle | Investigation and treatment of underlying causes |
The difference between disease, phenomenon, and Raynaud’s syndrome
Some people use these terms interchangeably, but these terms are used to make a distinction.
- Raynaud’s disease is not caused by other conditions and is known as primary Raynaud’s.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon is caused by an underlying disease, medication, or lifestyle known as secondary Raynaud’s.
- Raynaud’s syndrome: It is a general term that is used for both mentioned types.
People prone to primary Raynaud’s syndrome
- ladies;
- People under 30 years old (often starting in adolescence);
- People with a family history of Raynaud’s disease.
People prone to secondary Raynaud’s syndrome
This disease usually occurs in people with an underlying illness. It may also involve people who are busy with their jobs.
A few points about secondary Raynaud’s
- Almost 9 out of 10 people with scleroderma have Raynaud’s syndrome.
- Almost 1 out of every three people with lupus has Raynaud’s syndrome.
- People with autoimmune disease, especially connective tissue disease, are more exposed to this disease.
- People who work with vibrating hand tools (such as hammers or saws) are more prone to Raynaud’s phenomenon. Also, this disease is more common in pianists and people who work with keyboards.
Cause of Raynaud’s syndrome
Cause of Raynaud’s disease
Various triggers can trigger a Raynaud’s attack, including:
- Cold weather.
- Cold environments such as air-conditioned rooms or frozen aisles in stores.
- She was holding a glass of iced water or other cold drinks.
- Sweat that cools the body.
- Anxiety, emotional stress, or excitement.
Cause of Raynaud’s phenomenon
Usually, underlying diseases cause secondary Raynaud’s syndrome, which is common in people with underlying tissue diseases. Some of these diseases reduce blood flow to the fingers.
Conditions for creating Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Buerger’s disease;
- Cancer ;
- carpal tunnel syndrome ;
- dermatomyositis;
- hypothyroidism;
- smoking;
- injury or trauma;
- lupus ;
- Combined connective tissue diseases;
- peripheral blood vessel disease;
- polymyositis;
- pulmonary hypertension;
- arthritis ;
- scleroderma;
- Sjogren’s syndrome ;
- thoracic outlet syndrome;
- frostbite ;
- Using vibrating devices or frequent blows to the palm;
- vasculitis
Substances and drugs that cause Raynaud’s phenomenon
- beta-blockers ;
- Coffee;
- Chemotherapy;
- cocaine;
- Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate;
- nicotine;
- Migraine medications containing ergotamine;
- decongestants containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine;
- Epoxy resins.
Symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome affects the skin and has a variety of symptoms, including:
- Discoloration: When blood flow stops and then returns, the color of the skin may change from white to bluish to red.
- Feeling cold or numb happens when the fingers or other involved parts do not receive oxygen-rich blood, and a feeling of falling asleep occurs.
- A feeling of warmth, tingling, or throbbing: occurs when blood flow returns to the affected part of the body.
- Skin ulcers or gangrene: Prolonged or repeated attacks may cause painful sores on the fingertips. These wounds may take time to heal. In rare cases, lack of oxygen to the tissue can cause tissue death (gangrene).
The symptoms of this disease are periodic, meaning they come and go. An episode or attack usually lasts about 15 minutes, but an attack can be shorter or longer. Episodes are typically associated with specific triggers, such as cold weather. People with secondary Raynaud’s syndrome may have more severe symptoms, such as skin ulcers.
Diagnosis of Raynaud’s syndrome
Usually, the doctor diagnoses the disease according to the symptoms. They may also ask you to take pictures of the changes in your skin when you develop signs and ask questions. Some diagnostic tests help determine primary and secondary Raynaud’s, such as nail capillaroscopy, in which a drop of oil is applied to the skin at the base of the nail. Then the doctor looks at the pin under a microscope; if the capillaries in this area are large or abnormal, the person probably has connective tissue disease and suffers from secondary Raynaud’s syndrome.
Other diagnostic tests include:
- Antinuclear antibody test that checks for autoimmune disease;
- blood count;
- erythrocyte sedimentation test;
- Urinalysis;
- cold challenge test;
- examination of the blood flow of the arms and legs;
- Rheumatoid factor test.
Treatment of Raynaud’s syndrome
This disease may affect different body parts, so you may need to see a cardiologist, dermatologist, or rheumatologist. Treatment is further according to the type of disease and the patient’s condition and has other goals, including:
- prevention of Raynaud’s attacks;
- reducing the intensity of the attack;
- improving the quality of life;
- treatment of the underlying disease;
- Prevention of skin wounds and tissue death.
For many people, lifestyle changes are enough to control the disease, including:
- Avoiding cold environments;
- Avoiding touching hard things;
- restraining stress and strengthening the feeling of the attacker;
- Wearing warm clothes in cold weather.
Controlling severe symptoms may require medication prescribed by a doctor, including:
- calcium channel blockers;
- alpha blockers;
- Nitroglycerin skin ointment.
If Raynaud’s syndrome is severe and other methods are ineffective, the doctor may prescribe a sympathectomy. Sympathectomy is a temporary procedure in which small nerves near blood vessels are cut. As a result, messages related to vessel narrowing are not sent. This method eliminates symptoms for 1 to 2 years but must be repeated.
Treatment in children
Primary Raynaud’s disease usually begins in the teenage years. When symptoms develop, take the child to the doctor. The doctor checks the underlying conditions by performing special tests. Raynaud’s disease in children and adolescents is usually mild, and the symptoms disappear with age. Adult treatments are also effective for children.
Prevention of Raynaud’s syndrome
You can do nothing to prevent the syndrome, but you can prevent attacks by learning about triggers and avoiding them. It would be best if you also visited your doctor annually. This work helps to diagnose and treat underlying diseases of secondary Raynaud’s syndrome. Lifestyle changes can prevent some of these conditions.
Living with Raynaud’s syndrome
Self-care is essential to curb Raynaud’s syndrome. Therefore, follow the doctor’s orders and avoid syndrome-causing triggers as much as possible; Keep your body, hands, and feet warm as much as possible, control stress with meditation and deep breathing, and avoid being in cold environments.
Common questions
1. Is Raynaud’s disease dangerous?
Primary Raynaud’s is not severe and does not damage blood vessels. It may interfere with daily activities, but it is not dangerous.
Secondary Raynaud’s may be more serious. This disease can cause skin ulcers and, in rare cases, tissue death (gangrene). It may also affect the quality of life. The underlying factors of the disease can also be severe.
2. How common is Raynaud’s syndrome?
Raynaud’s syndrome is one of the most common diseases, so 1 in 20 people in the United States has this disease.
3. How does Raynaud’s syndrome affect the body?
Raynaud’s syndrome is an exaggerated type of one of the body’s natural processes called the vasomotor response. The vasomotor response to the constriction and dilation of the body’s blood vessels helps the body react to the ambient temperature. For example, if the weather is cold, the blood vessels close to the skin’s surface constrict so that the blood moves to the deeper vessels of the body. This helps maintain body temperature. Also, when stressed, the body’s vessels constrict to carry oxygen. Raynaud’s syndrome disrupts this natural process and causes the ship to tighten more than it should. As a result, the normal blood flow is disturbed, and the amount of oxygen sent to the fingers is reduced.
4. Does Raynaud’s syndrome damage the heart?
Primary Raynaud’s syndrome does not affect the heart, but secondary Raynaud’s syndrome may affect the heart. Consult a doctor to check this issue.
5. What are the side effects of Raynaud’s syndrome?
In rare cases, ulcers may develop on the fingers, which, if spread, will cause the tissue to die.
you say
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Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
