Reynaud's Phenomenon, or RP, is a condition resulting in discoloration of the fingers and/or toes through exposure to certain temperatures, such as hot and cold or emotional events. The color of skin changes because of abnormal blood vessel spasms which causes lack of blood supply to the local tissues of the fingers and/or toes. Usually, the affected areas turn white due to the lack of blood supply, and eventually turn blue due to lack of oxygen. After a while, however, the blood vessels reopen which let in a sudden rush of blood, turning the affected areas red. The three color phase, white to blue to red, often occurs only when the affected areas are exposed to the cold. Raynaud's Phenomenon is not fatal, but life impacting.
Reynaud's Phenomenon is common amongst women, especially around the 20's, 30's, and 40's. People can have RP alone, or as part of any rheumatic diseases. When it is occured alone, it's referred to as Raynaud's Disease, or primary Raynaud's Phenomenon. If it accompanies with another disease, it's referred to as secondary Raynaud's Disease.
How is Raynaud's Phenomenon caused?
The causes for Raynaud's Phenomenon are currently unknown. Maybe that is why it's a phenomenon (pun intended). Some suggest it's an tissue disease, due to the abnormal nerve control of the blood vessel and the increased nerve sensitivity to the cold may play an important factor. The characteristic of the color change is related to narrowing of the blood vessel due to spasms along the walls of the blood vessel, which is usually followed by the dilation, or sudden opening of the blood vessel. The arteries are also believed to be microscopically small, which also leads to narrowing of the blood vessels.
Symptoms and signs of Raynaud's Phenomenon
Symptoms of Raynaud's Phenomenon depend on the severity, how often it happens, and how long the blood vessel spasms last. Patients who have the mild effects only see discoloration when exposed to the cold. This comes along with mild tingling sensation and some numbness in the effected areas and will disappear when the natural color of the skin returns. However, extended periods would cause the lack of oxygen, thus the nerves irritated could cause some pain. On rare occasions, ulcers will form on the tips of the fingers from further deprivation of oxygen, and the ulcers can become infected, and other complications such as gangrene can occur.
Less common areas that RP can occur at are nose, ears, and the tongue. While ulcers rarely occur here, the numbness and pain can still occur. Patients who have secondary RP, have the same related symptoms listed above. RP is usually contracted 70% of the time among patients of scleroderma, a skin and joint disease. Other diseases RP is commonly associated with include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.
Image from U.S. National Library of Medicine
Systems & Organs that Raynaud's Phenomenon Affects
RP affects the Circulatory System by abnormal spasms in the blood vessel's. These spasms constrict the blood supply to the fingers and toes causing the three step discoloration shown above. The disease also produces numbness in the fingers and toes.
How is Raynaud's Phenomenon Diagnosed?
Patients who have color sequences, diagnostics is certainly not difficult. Sometimes, patterns in the capillaries adjacent to the fingernails can be seen using a microscope. Abnormal nail fold is sometimes a sign indicating a rheumatic disease. However, it is impossible to indicate RP through blood tests, even sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, thyroid hormones, or protein level tests are unable to give a hint of the disease.
Medical Treatments for Raynaud's Phenomenon
One of the major steps in treating RP is prevention by protecting hands and feet from cold temperatures, trauma, and infections. Medications that can aggravate blood flow is not recommended for patients with RP. In patients with a more extreme condition, there is prescribed medication that can dilate the blood vessels can be administered. Patients who have the minor extremities, such as the discoloration, only need to take preventive measures. Prevention is crucial in both primary RP and secondary RP, regardless of severity. Something as simple as keeping the person's body warm can help a great deal. This can include wearing gloves in the freezer, wearing rubber gloves while doing dishes, and wearing socks at all times. Compressions by tight fitting rings, bracelets, and any other jewelry is highly not recommended.
Protection from direct trauma and wounds is also highly recommended, and any wounds suffered should be treated immediately to prevent increased infection. Avoiding emotional stress is also highly recommended and therapeutic hand vibrations can also help reduce the frequency of the attacks.
Smoking and second-hand smoking should be avoided at all times. The chemicals in the tobacco can cause the arteries to harden, and can cause even less oxygen flow to the areas that need it most.
Severe RP can lead to gangrene and the loss of digits. In rare cases of severe disease, nerve surgery called "sympathectomy" is sometimes considered. In this procedure, to prevent blood-vessel spasm, the nerves that stimulate the constriction of the vessels (sympathetic nerves) are surgically interrupted. Usually, this is performed during an operation that is localized to the sides of the base of the fingers at the hand. Through small incisions, the tiny nerves around the blood vessels are stripped away. This procedure is referred to as a digital sympathectomy.
Home Remedies/Alternative Medicine
Reynaud's Phenomenon can be treated at home by the following steps:
Controlling stress
Exercising regularly
Wear warm clothes and gloves
Stay in warm conditions
Avoid cold areas or being in the cold for long periods of time
Fast Facts About Raynaud's Phenomenom
Raynaud's Phenomenom came about as a thesis for a graduation requirement.
Raynaud's Phenomenom can cause vasospasms in a women's breast.
Testable Questions on Raynaud's Phenomenom
True or False: The cause of Reynaud's Phenomenom is Athritis. (False- The cause is unknown)
Reynaud's Phenomenom is common among what gender? (Women)
Sources
www.goldscout.com/raynauds.html
Raynaud's Phenomenon, Thomas J.A. Lehman
www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipple-blanching.html
Nipple Blanching Bonyata, Kelly
U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih..gov
Ruddy, Shaun, Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology 2001 ed.
What is Raynaud's Phenomenon?
Reynaud's Phenomenon, or RP, is a condition resulting in discoloration of the fingers and/or toes through exposure to certain temperatures, such as hot and cold or emotional events. The color of skin changes because of abnormal blood vessel spasms which causes lack of blood supply to the local tissues of the fingers and/or toes. Usually, the affected areas turn white due to the lack of blood supply, and eventually turn blue due to lack of oxygen. After a while, however, the blood vessels reopen which let in a sudden rush of blood, turning the affected areas red. The three color phase, white to blue to red, often occurs only when the affected areas are exposed to the cold. Raynaud's Phenomenon is not fatal, but life impacting.
Reynaud's Phenomenon is common amongst women, especially around the 20's, 30's, and 40's. People can have RP alone, or as part of any rheumatic diseases. When it is occured alone, it's referred to as Raynaud's Disease, or primary Raynaud's Phenomenon. If it accompanies with another disease, it's referred to as secondary Raynaud's Disease.
How is Raynaud's Phenomenon caused?
The causes for Raynaud's Phenomenon are currently unknown. Maybe that is why it's a phenomenon (pun intended). Some suggest it's an tissue disease, due to the abnormal nerve control of the blood vessel and the increased nerve sensitivity to the cold may play an important factor. The characteristic of the color change is related to narrowing of the blood vessel due to spasms along the walls of the blood vessel, which is usually followed by the dilation, or sudden opening of the blood vessel. The arteries are also believed to be microscopically small, which also leads to narrowing of the blood vessels.
Symptoms and signs of Raynaud's Phenomenon
Symptoms of Raynaud's Phenomenon depend on the severity, how often it happens, and how long the blood vessel spasms last. Patients who have the mild effects only see discoloration when exposed to the cold. This comes along with mild tingling sensation and some numbness in the effected areas and will disappear when the natural color of the skin returns. However, extended periods would cause the lack of oxygen, thus the nerves irritated could cause some pain. On rare occasions, ulcers will form on the tips of the fingers from further deprivation of oxygen, and the ulcers can become infected, and other complications such as gangrene can occur.
Less common areas that RP can occur at are nose, ears, and the tongue. While ulcers rarely occur here, the numbness and pain can still occur. Patients who have secondary RP, have the same related symptoms listed above. RP is usually contracted 70% of the time among patients of scleroderma, a skin and joint disease. Other diseases RP is commonly associated with include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.
Systems & Organs that Raynaud's Phenomenon Affects
RP affects the Circulatory System by abnormal spasms in the blood vessel's. These spasms constrict the blood supply to the fingers and toes causing the three step discoloration shown above. The disease also produces numbness in the fingers and toes.How is Raynaud's Phenomenon Diagnosed?
Patients who have color sequences, diagnostics is certainly not difficult. Sometimes, patterns in the capillaries adjacent to the fingernails can be seen using a microscope. Abnormal nail fold is sometimes a sign indicating a rheumatic disease. However, it is impossible to indicate RP through blood tests, even sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, thyroid hormones, or protein level tests are unable to give a hint of the disease.
Medical Treatments for Raynaud's Phenomenon
One of the major steps in treating RP is prevention by protecting hands and feet from cold temperatures, trauma, and infections. Medications that can aggravate blood flow is not recommended for patients with RP. In patients with a more extreme condition, there is prescribed medication that can dilate the blood vessels can be administered. Patients who have the minor extremities, such as the discoloration, only need to take preventive measures. Prevention is crucial in both primary RP and secondary RP, regardless of severity. Something as simple as keeping the person's body warm can help a great deal. This can include wearing gloves in the freezer, wearing rubber gloves while doing dishes, and wearing socks at all times. Compressions by tight fitting rings, bracelets, and any other jewelry is highly not recommended.
Protection from direct trauma and wounds is also highly recommended, and any wounds suffered should be treated immediately to prevent increased infection. Avoiding emotional stress is also highly recommended and therapeutic hand vibrations can also help reduce the frequency of the attacks.
Smoking and second-hand smoking should be avoided at all times. The chemicals in the tobacco can cause the arteries to harden, and can cause even less oxygen flow to the areas that need it most.
Severe RP can lead to gangrene and the loss of digits. In rare cases of severe disease, nerve surgery called "sympathectomy" is sometimes considered. In this procedure, to prevent blood-vessel spasm, the nerves that stimulate the constriction of the vessels (sympathetic nerves) are surgically interrupted. Usually, this is performed during an operation that is localized to the sides of the base of the fingers at the hand. Through small incisions, the tiny nerves around the blood vessels are stripped away. This procedure is referred to as a digital sympathectomy.
Home Remedies/Alternative Medicine
Reynaud's Phenomenon can be treated at home by the following steps:Fast Facts About Raynaud's Phenomenom
Testable Questions on Raynaud's Phenomenom
Sources
www.goldscout.com/raynauds.htmlRaynaud's Phenomenon, Thomas J.A. Lehman
www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipple-blanching.html
Nipple Blanching Bonyata, Kelly
U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih..gov
Ruddy, Shaun, Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology 2001 ed.