Raynaud's disease

}} Raynaud's disease (RAY-noz) is a condition that affects bloodflow to the extremities which include the fingers, toes, noseand earswhen exposed to temperature changes or stress. It was named after Maurice Raynaud(1834- 1881), a French physician who first described it in 1862.

Symptoms

The symptoms include several cyclic color changes:

1. When exposed to cold temperatures, the oxygensupply to the fingertips, toes, and earlobes of Raynaud's disease patients are reduced and the skin color turn pale or white (called pallor) and become cold and numb.
2. When the oxygen supply is depleted, the skin colour turns blue (called cyanosis).
3. These events are episodic and when the episode subsides, or the area is warmed, blood returns to the area and the skin colour turns red (rubor) and then back to normal, often accompanied by swellingand tingling. These symptoms are thought to be due to reactive hyperemiasof the areas deprived of blood flow.

All three colour changes are present in classic Raynaud's disease. However, some patients do not see all of the colour changes in all outbreaks of this condition.

Disease vs. Phenomenon

It is important to distinguish Raynaud's disease from Raynaud's phenomenon. In order to diagnose these two forms of Raynaud's, your doctor may look for signs of arthritisor vasculitisand conduct a number of laboratorytests.

Primary Raynaud's (disease)

Raynaud's disease (or "Primary Raynaud's") is diagnosed if the symptoms occur only by itself and is not accompanied by other diseases. It often develops in young women in their teens and young adulthood. This form of Raynaud's is thought to be hereditary, although it is uncertain if it is actually genetic or if it is simply recognized more often within families of people diagnosed with the disease.

Secondary Raynaud's (phenomenon)

Raynaud's phenomenon (or "Secondary Raynaud's") occurs secondary to many different causes:

• The most common causes are connective tissue disorderssuch as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma/systemic sclerosis, arthritisand many others.

• Other disorders that can be causes include carpal tunnel syndromeand obstructive arterial disease.

• Medications that can be causes include beta-blockersand ergotamine.

In contrast to the disease form, this form of Raynaud's can progress to necrosisor gangreneof the fingertips.

Prevention

Patients with Raynaud's disease are suggested to keep warm by wearing glovesand socks. They should also avoid touching cold objects, stress, medicines that can constrict blood vessels such as decongestants, and smoking.

Treatment

The severity of the disease runs from mild to severe. In people with mild cases, this may be simply an annoyance. More serious cases require medical intervention due to the risks of gangreneand possible digital amputation. Microvascular surgeryof the affected areas is a possible therapy.

Treatment for Raynaud's disease may include prescription medicines that enlarge blood vessels, such as calcium channel blockers(nifedipine). Mild cases of Raynaud's can be addressed by biofeedbackor a technique to help control involuntary body functions such as skin temperature. In severe cases, a sympathectomyprocedure can be performed. Here, the nerves that signals the blood vessels of the fingertips to constrict are surgically cut.

Reference

• Raynaud AGM. De l'asphyxie locale et de la gangrène symétrique des extrémités. Academic thesis, Paris, Rignoux, 1862.

External links

• Mayo Clinic - Raynaud's Disease
• Health In Plain English - Raynaud's Disease
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease - Raynaud's Phenomenon

fr:Maladie de Raynaud pt:Doença de Raynaud

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud%27s+disease Wikipedia article Raynaud's disease.