What Is Raynaud's Disease?
Raynaud's disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. It is characterized by episodic attacks, called vasospastic attacks, that cause the blood vessels in the digits (fingers and toes) to constrict (narrow).
Raynaud's disease is a type of
Raynaud's phenomenon. In medical literature, "Raynaud's disease" may also be called:
- Primary Raynaud's phenomenon
- Idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon
- Primary Raynaud's syndrome.
The terms "idiopathic" and "primary" both mean that the cause is unknown.
Most people who have Raynaud's phenomenon have the primary form (the milder version).
Although estimates vary, recent surveys show that Raynaud's phenomenon may affect 5 to 10 percent of the general population in the United States. Raynaud's disease is the most common form of Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's disease appears to be more common in people who live in colder climates. However, people with Raynaud's disease who live in milder climates may have more attacks during periods of colder weather.
A person who has Raynaud's disease has no underlying disease or associated medical problems. More women than men are affected, and approximately 75 percent of all cases are diagnosed in women who are between 15 and 40 years old.
What Causes Raynaud's Disease?
No one knows the exact cause of Raynaud's disease and why there is a sudden spasmodic
contraction of the small blood vessels when exposed to cold. Finding the cause or causes of Raynaud's syndrome continues to be an active area of
Raynaud's research.
For most people, a Raynaud's disease attack is usually triggered by exposure to cold or emotional stress. In general, attacks affect the fingers or toes, but may affect the nose, lips, or ear lobes.
Symptoms of Raynaud's Disease
During a Raynaud's disease attack, the
symptoms of Raynaud's disease are caused by reduced blood supply to the extremities.
Once the attack begins, a person may experience symptoms in the affected area that includes:
- Coldness
- Changes in skin color
- Numbness
- Throbbing
- Tingling.
During an attack, symptoms can last from less than a minute to several hours.
The period of exposure to the cold is extremely critical, because it only takes about 20 to 30 minutes of exposure to the cold to cause potentially serious problems, such as tissue damage. This can lead to ulcers on the fingertips and, if left untreated, even gangrene.
Bone damage may also occur.
The frequency of Raynaud's disease attacks varies from patient to patient. Some people may get attacks as often as daily or several times a week.
To help in diagnosing Raynaud's disease, the doctor will first gather a detailed medical history, which includes asking questions about a person's:
- General health
- Symptoms
- Family medical history
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Use of drugs or medications.
The doctor will also perform a complete physical exam to check for other signs of Raynaud's disease and may recommend certain tests.
(Click Types of Raynaud's to learn more about other causes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.)
Treatment for Raynaud's Disease
At this point, there is no cure for Raynaud's disease. Therefore, the goals of Raynaud's disease treatment are to reduce the number and severity of attacks and to prevent tissue damage and loss in the fingers and toes.
Most doctors are conservative with treatment recommendations for Raynaud's disease; that is, they recommend non-drug treatments and self-help measures first.
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