Raynaud’s Disease

Overview

Raynaud’s disease causes the certain body parts, including the fingers and toes, to become numb and chilly in response to cold temperatures or stress. The small blood vessels that nourish the skin is narrowed, this is known as vasospasm, and it restricts blood flow to the affected areas.

The arterioles and capillaries in your fingers and toes constrict more than they should during a Raynaud’s attack. Your skin in the region that is affected becomes white, then blue. Your blood’s low oxygen content causes this color change. You might also feel numb or cold on your skin. You may experience tingling or a red appearance on your skin when your blood vessels relax and reopen. The average duration of an attack is fifteen minutes.

The condition comes in two primary types.

• Primary Raynaud’s: This most common kind, also known as Raynaud’s disease, is not brought on by another health problem. Because primary Raynaud’s disease can be so mild, many people choose not to seek treatment. It can also disappear on its own.
• Secondary Raynaud’s: Often known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, this type of condition develops from an underlying medical issue. Though secondary Raynaud’s is less common than first, the condition is usually more severe.

The severity of your Raynaud’s disease and whether you have any other health problems will determine how you are treated. Raynaud’s disease can lower quality of life, however it is not usually impairing for most people.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Raynaud’s disease include the following:

• Cold or numb of fingers or toes.
• Skin that first turns blue, then turns white. Your skin tone will determine how noticeable these color changes.
• A tingling or numb sensation after applying heat or relieving stress.
• Prolonged or frequent episodes might cause painful finger sores. The healing of these lesions may take some time. Rarely, an insufficient amount of oxygen in your tissues can cause gangrene, or tissue death.

The skin in the affected areas frequently turns pale during a Raynaud’s attack. They then frequently experience color changes, numbness, and cold. Recurrent color changes, throbbing, tingling, or swelling may occur in the affected areas as the skin heats and blood flow improves.

It is most typical for Raynaud’s to damage fingers and toes. However, other body parts including the nose, lips, ears, and even the nipples may also be affected. The restoration of blood flow to the area may require fifteen minutes after warming up.

If you have a history of severe Raynaud’s disease and develop a sore or infection in one of your afflicted fingers or toes, consult a healthcare provider immediately.

Causes

Researchers have yet to ascertain the precise triggers behind Raynaud’s attacks, although it appears that the blood arteries in the hands and feet exhibit an exaggerated response to stress or cold stimuli. During periods of stress or exposure to cold, these arteries leading to the fingers and toes undergo constriction, thereby impeding blood flow. Over time, these small arteries may undergo a degree of thickening, further exacerbating the restriction of blood flow.

The primary culprit for triggering an attack is typically exposure to cold temperatures, such as reaching into a freezer, submerging hands in cold water, or being outside in chilly weather. Additionally, emotional stress has been identified as a potential trigger for certain individuals.

Secondary Raynaud’s symptoms typically manifest around the age of 40, following the onset of primary Raynaud’s symptoms.

The following causes of secondary Raynaud’s include:

• Arterial diseases: Among them are disorders causing inflammation in the blood vessels of the hands and feet and fatty deposits to accumulate in the blood vessels that supply the heart. The secondary cause of Raynaud’s disease is a form of hypertension that damages the arteries in the lungs.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A main nerve that supplies the hand is compressed in this condition. The pressure results in pain and numbness in the hand, which may increase the hand’s sensitivity to cold.
• Connective tissue diseases: The majority of patients with scleroderma, a rare condition that causes the skin to stiffen and scar, also have Raynaud’s disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and lupus are other conditions that raise the risk of Raynaud’s syndrome.
• Injuries to the hands or feet: Frostbite, surgery, and a fractured wrist are a few examples.
• Medications: These include specific medications for migraines, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cancer, and certain cold remedies, as well as beta blockers for high blood pressure.
• Repeated actions or vibration: Overuse injuries can arise from prolonged use of devices such as keyboards, pianos, or other similar machinery. Using vibrating instruments, like jackhammers, can also contribute.
• Tobacco usage: Smoking causes blood arteries to constrict.

Risk factors

Primary Raynaud’s disease risk factors include:

• Age: Primary Raynaud’s disease often manifests between the ages of 15 and 30, yet it can strike anyone at any time.
• Gender: More women than men are affected by the disease.
• Family history: The risk of primary Raynaud’s disease appears to be higher in those who have a parent, sibling, or child with the condition.
• Climate: People who reside in colder climates are also more likely to get the condition.

Secondary Raynaud’s risk factors include:

• Certain diseases: Lupus and scleroderma are some of these conditions that cause secondary Raynaud’s.
• Occupation: These are occupations that repeatedly inflict injury, including operating vibrating instruments.
• Other substances: This includes the use of drugs that alter blood arteries, smoking, and being in the presence of specific chemicals, including vinyl chloride.