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Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s Phenomenon. By: Alison Cunliffe. What is Raynaud’s Disease. Condition resulting in a series of discolorations of the fingers and/or toes after exposure to changes in temperature (hot or cold) or emotional events.

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Raynaud’s Phenomenon

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  1. Raynaud’s Phenomenon By: Alison Cunliffe

  2. What is Raynaud’s Disease • Condition resulting in a series of discolorations of the fingers and/or toes after exposure to changes in temperature (hot or cold) or emotional events. • Skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply to the local tissues. • First the digits turn white because of the diminished blood supply • Second they turn blue because of the lack of oxygen • Last the blood vessels reopen causing the blood to flush back in which causes digits to turn red.

  3. Causes • Cause is unknown. • Both abnormal nerve control of blood vessels and nerve sensitivity to cold exposure have been suspected as being contributing factors.

  4. Symptoms • All vary on the severity, frequency, and duration of the spasm • Most include: • Skin discoloration • Mild tingling and numbness (disappears when color returns) • When spasms become more sustained sensory nerves become irritated by the lack of oxygen and can cause pain. • Rarely symptoms from poor oxygen supply to the tissue can cause tips of digits to ulcerate.

  5. Tests • Sometimes there are certain patterns in the tiny blood vessels adjacent to the fingernails in patients with RP that can be seen with a magnifying viewing instrument. • There is no blood test to help doctor to determine if you have RP • Doctors can also perform certain maneuvers with the patient’s extremities to exclude pinched blood vessels that can produce symptoms that mimic RP such as in thoracic outlet syndrome.

  6. Treatment • No prevention • Things you can do to help RP • Protect fingers and toes from cold, trauma, and infection • Medication that can aggravate blood vessel spasm should be avoided by patients with RP • Persistent symptoms- medications that dilate the blood vessels can be administered • Keep body warm!

  7. Prognosis • With a relatively small chance (1%) of serious complications, approximately half of all affected individuals do well by taking simple precautions, and never require medication.

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