Raynaud's disease: Difference between revisions

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   MeshNumber    = C14.907.744 |
   MeshNumber    = C14.907.744 |
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{{Raynaud's disease (patient information)}}


'''Editors-In-Chief:''' Asghar Fakhri, M.D. and Duane S. Pinto, M.D.
'''Editors-In-Chief:''' Asghar Fakhri, M.D. and Duane S. Pinto, M.D.

Revision as of 21:00, 1 August 2011

For patient information click here

Raynaud disease
Hands with Raynaud's disease
ICD-10 I73.0
ICD-9 443.0
OMIM 179600
DiseasesDB 11186
MedlinePlus 000412
eMedicine med/1993 
MeSH C14.907.744

Raynaud's disease

Overview

What are the symptoms?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Raynaud's disease?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Prevention of Raynaud's disease

Raynaud's disease On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Raynaud's disease

CDC on Raynaud's disease

Raynaud's disease in the news

Blogs on Raynaud's disease

Directions to Hospitals Treating Raynaud's disease

Risk calculators and risk factors for Raynaud's disease

Editors-In-Chief: Asghar Fakhri, M.D. and Duane S. Pinto, M.D.

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Raynaud disease (RAY-noz) is a condition that affects blood flow to the extremities which include the fingers, toes, nose and ears when 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 oxygen supply to the fingertips, toes, nose, and earlobes of Raynaud's disease patients is reduced and the skin turns pale or white (called pallor) and becomes 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 swelling and tingling. These symptoms are thought to be due to reactive hyperemias of 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.

  • Flat nails are also associated with Raynaud's disease[2].

Disease vs. phenomenon

It is important to distinguish Raynaud disease from Raynaud phenomenon. In order to diagnose these two forms of Raynaud, your doctor may look for signs of arthritis or vasculitis and conduct a number of laboratory tests.

Primary Raynaud (disease)

Raynaud's disease (or "Primary Raynaud's") is diagnosed if the symptoms occur only by themselves and are not accompanied by other diseases. Primary Raynaud's 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 (phenomenon)

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

In contrast to the disease form, this form of Raynaud can progress to necrosis or gangrene of the fingertips.

Prevention

Patients with Raynaud's disease are advised to keep warm by wearing gloves and socks. They should also avoid stress, medicines that can constrict blood vessels such as decongestants and touching cold objects. Patients are also advised to avoid foods and activities that may constrict blood vessels such as drinking caffeinated drinks and smoking. Avoiding artificially cold environments, such as refrigerated or highly air conditioned spaces, can also help prevent episodes from occurring.

Treatment

Template:Seealso The severity of the disease runs from mild to severe. In people with mild cases, this may be simply an annoyance. Heatbands Hand warmers may be used on the wrists to warm the blood flowing to the hands. More serious cases require medical intervention due to the risks of gangrene and possible digital amputation. Microvascular surgery of the affected areas is a possible therapy.

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

References

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

See also

External links

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de:Raynaud-Syndrom


Template:WikiDoc Sources