Raynaud's phenomenon

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

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RAY-noz), in medicine, is a vasospastic disorder causing discoloration of the fingers, toes, and occasionally other extremities, named for French physician Maurice Raynaud (1834 – 1881). The cause of the phenomenon is unknown, but emotional stress and cold are classically triggers, and the discoloration follows a characteristic pattern in time: white, blue and red. It comprises both Raynaud’s disease (primary Raynaud’s), where the phenomenon is idiopathic, and Raynaud’s syndrome (secondary Raynaud’s), where it is secondary to something else.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

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

It is important to realise that Raynaud’s can herald these diseases by periods of more than 20 years in some cases, making it effectively their first presenting symptom. This can be the case in the CREST syndrome, of which Raynaud’s is a part.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

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

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

There is a familial component to primary Raynaud’s, and presentation is typically before 30.

The phenomenon is more common in women than men, with the Framingham Study finding that 5.8% of men and 9.6% of women suffered from it.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

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

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Smoking worsens frequency and intensity of attacks, and there is a hormonal component. Raynaud’s phenomenon also occurs without another disease, medication, or cause. This is called primary Raynaud’s phenomenon. It most often begins in people younger than age 30.

Template:WH Template:WS

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

• Gangrene or skin ulcers may occur if an artery becomes completely blocked (most likely to occur in people who also have arthritis or autoimmune conditions)
• Permanently decreased blood flow to the area can lead to thin and tapered fingers, with smooth, shiny skin and slow growing nails

The outcome varies depending on the cause and the severity of the condition.

Template:WikiDoc Sources