Medication
There is no cure for either primary or secondary Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s syndrome treatment often depends on making lifestyle changes for protection against cold temperatures. In addition to wearing warm clothes, a physician may suggest putting battery operated heat packs inside mittens, boots, socks or pockets.
Procedures
Surgery. If you have severe Raynaud's phenomenon, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a sympathectomy to destroy the nerves that trigger blood vessel narrowing in the affected areas. This is usually done by incision or injections. The procedure often relieves symptoms, but it may need to be repeated after a few years.
Self-care
Typically, it worsens in the winter and eases in the summer. Nevertheless, just as Raynaud phenomenon can come on suddenly, it can resolve spontaneously suddenly. This particularly occurs when a person with Raynaud phenomenon stops smoking or discontinues a medication associated with the condition.
Nutrition
While Raynaud’s is far from rare, the primary reason it lacks the media exposure of more well-recognized diseases is because public awareness campaigns are very expensive, and such efforts are often funded by pharmaceutical companies whose drugs serve these populations.
Specialist To Consult
How to cure Raynaud's disease naturally?
Can surgery cure Raynaud's disease?
Can Raynauds go away?
Is Raynaud's disease pretty rare?
Is raynauds a autoimmune disease?
Summary. Raynaud's phenomenon is the short-term interruption of blood flow to the extremities, such as the fingers and toes. Raynaud's phenomenon may be a sign of an underlying autoimmune disorder such as scleroderma or lupus, so it's important to see your doctor for diagnosis.
Can you have Raynaud's without autoimmune disease?
Primary Raynaud's(or Raynaud's disease) happens without any other illness behind it. The symptoms are often mild. Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon) results from another illness. It's often a condition that attacks your body's connective tissues, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the difference between Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon?
Raynaud's disease: Occurs on its own and isn't connected with another disease or condition. This is also called primary Raynaud's syndrome. Raynaud's phenomenon: Occurs due to an underlying condition, medication or lifestyle factor. This is also called secondary Raynaud's syndrome.
Is Raynaud phenomenon serious?
In rare cases, Raynaud's can become severe. If it causes skin sores or gangrene—decay or death of body tissues—you may need antibiotics or surgery to remove the damaged tissue. In very serious cases, it might be necessary to remove the affected toe or finger. But don't panic—this is extremely rare.
What diseases are linked to Raynaud's?
The diseases most often linked with Raynaud's are autoimmune or connective tissue diseases such as:Lupus (systemic lupus erythematous)Scleroderma.CREST syndrome (a form of scleroderma)Buerger disease.Sjögren syndrome.Rheumatoid arthritis.Occlusive vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis.Polymyositis.More items...
What organs does Raynaud's affect?
Raynaud phenomenon is a condition in which the body's normal response to cold or emotional stress is exaggerated, resulting in abnormal spasms (vasospasms) in small blood vessels called arterioles. The disorder mainly affects the fingers but can also involve the ears, nose, nipples, knees, or toes.
What is the life expectancy of someone with Raynaud's disease?
Under the broad definition, the median survival time was 11.0 years (95% CI: 10.0–12.1 years) for white subjects without RP, compared to 8.1 years (95% CI: 6.0–11.8 years) for white subjects with RP.
What can be mistaken for Raynaud's?
Acrocyanosis and Raynaud's are similar conditions and may be confused in the clinical setting. Both conditions are cold-sensitive and may result in a cyanotic discoloration of the affected areas, with most prominent manifestations occurring in the hands and feet.
How does Raynaud disease affect the heart?
Patients with both primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon have an abnormally low blood penetration in the heart tissue, which likely explains the increased death rates from heart disease in these patients.
What happens if Raynaud's goes untreated?
Left untreated , Raynaud's phenomenon can lead to gangrene (tissue death) in some cases. Seek prompt medical care if you have symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon in the fingers or toes, such as unusual coldness, skin color changes, and the development of sores or lesions that do not heal.
Does Raynaud's get worse with age?
Raynaud's disease (also referred to as Raynaud's syndrome or Raynaud's phenomenon) is estimated to affect up to 10% of New Zealanders. It is a progressive condition, meaning it tends to worsen as a person gets older.
Is there a blood test for Raynaud's disease?
There are no tests that can show that you have Raynaud's. But your doctor may do a blood test or other tests to rule out diseases that may be causing your symptoms.
Why do I suddenly have Raynaud's?
Why does it happen? Raynaud's is usually triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress. The condition occurs because your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, which blocks the flow of blood. This causes the affected area to change colour to white, then blue and then red, as the bloodflow returns.
Is there a blood test for Raynaud's disease?
No one blood test can diagnose Raynaud's. Your doctor might order other tests, such as those that rule out diseases of the arteries, to help pinpoint a condition that can be associated with Raynaud's.
How do I get tested for Raynaud's?
A cold stimulation test involves placing your fingers in an ice water bath to find out if you have Raynaud's syndrome.
What's the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud's?
A major clinical distinction between primary and secondary Raynaud's is that patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon do not get digital ulcers, gangrene, or signs of tissue injury. Only about one-third of scleroderma patients with severe secondary Raynaud's develop ischemic digital ulcers.
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What is the Raynaud phenomenon?
Raynaud phenomenon is a condition in which the body's normal response to cold or emotional stress is exaggerated, resulting in abnormal spasms (vasospasms) in small blood vessels called arterioles. The disorder mainly affects the fingers but can also involve the ears, nose, nipples, knees, or toes.
What causes Raynaud's disease?
There are many causes of secondary Raynaud phenomenon. These include autoimmune disease; partial or complete loss of function of the thyroid gland ( hypothyroidism); cancers of the blood, bone marrow, or immune system; disease processes that cause obstruction of blood vessels; exposure to certain medicines or chemicals; cigarette smoking; injury or trauma; prolonged repetitive motions such as typing; or long-term use of vibrating tools.
What does it mean when you have a Raynaud episode?
The vasospasms reduce blood circulation, leading to discomfort and skin color changes. Raynaud phenomenon is episodic, meaning that it comes and goes. A typical episode lasts about 15 minutes after the cold exposure or stressor has ended and involves mild discomfort such as numbness or a feeling of "pins and needles.".
Why do my blood vessels turn red?
The affected areas usually turn white or blue when exposed to cold or when emotional stress occurs, and then turn red when re-warmed or when the stress eases. Raynaud phenomenon is categorized as primary when there is no underlying disorder that accounts for the exaggerated response of the blood vessels.
What percent of people have Raynaud?
Raynaud phenomenon is a common condition, occurring in 3 to 5 percent of adults worldwide. It is more common in females than in males.
What is secondary Raynaud?
Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is often associated with autoimmune disorders, which occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body's own tissues and organs. Autoimmune disorders with which Raynaud phenomenon can be associated include systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren syndrome.
Is Raynaud phenomenon inheritance?
Inheritance. Raynaud phenomenon sometimes runs in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown. Studies suggest that about 30 percent of people with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) who has primary Raynaud phenomenon also have the condition.
What is the autoimmune disease associated with Raynaud's disease?
The symptoms of the secondary usually begin after the age of 30. Progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome are some of the autoimmune diseases identified in Raynaud’s.
What is Raynaud's phenomenon?
Raynaud’s phenomenon in people who had used repeatedly vibratory tools like drilling machine, typing occupation, and playing piano are more susceptible. The incidence rate is high in women when compared to men. Location and cold weather trigger more and hence self-care reduces the risk of the Raynaud’s attack.
How is the prognosis of Raynaud's disease determined?
Prognosis is determined by the severity of the disease form and 75% chances of survival are reported for this case. Systematic lupus erythematosus is 10 to 44% cases found and common in Raynaud’s patients. It is an autoimmune disease affects all parts of the body including skin, joints, organs, and blood vessels.
What is the condition that affects the arteries of the lungs in Raynaud's disease?
Primary pulmonary hypertension is the very common condition affects the arteries of the lungs in Raynaud’s and cause significant parenchymal lung disease. Cardiac weakness and peripheral vascular spasm with pulmonary hypertension are observed in some patients in Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Which disease causes plaque buildup in blood vessels of the heart?
Among them, atherosclerosis was the most reported disease which causes a buildup of plaques in blood vessels of the heart. The occurrence of hypercholesterolemia in some cases was unexpectedly higher in patients with atherosclerosis underlying Raynaud’s phenomenon. Buerger’s disease, primary pulmonary hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer, ...
Is Raynaud's disease a therapy?
It is the inflammation of joints seen in hands and feet. Pains followed by stiffness are the usual symptoms in Raynaud’s. There is no therapy for this disease and however, drugs are available which change the disease form and modification has the best results. These are effective when it is managed at the earlier.
Is Raynaud's syndrome a primary or secondary disease?
Raynaud’s syndrome is the most frequently encountered clinical manifestation classified as primary or secondary to underlying disease. Primary is often referred to as Raynaud’s disease, associated only with the occurrence of vasospasm alone and no other illness. But, secondary is referred to as Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with several ...
Overview
Narrowing of arteries that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body, known as vasospasm attacks, results in reduced blood flow in the fingers and toes and is typically triggered by cold temperatures and emotional stress. There are two types of Raynaud’s: primary and secondary.
Common Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms for both primary and secondary Raynaud’s include affected body parts feeling numb, cold, or painful, color changes in fingers or toes, and warmth and throbbing as blood returns to affected areas following an attack. Skin sores and gangrene (decay of body tissues) may form in severe cases of secondary Raynaud’s.
Risk Factors
Females are at greater risk for developing Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s disease also occurs in most people before the age of 30. Research has also pointed to family history of Raynaud’s disease as being a risk factor.
What is secondary Raynaud's?
Secondary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's phenomenon, this form is caused by an underlying problem. Although secondary Raynaud's is less common than the primary form, it tends to be more serious.
What are the symptoms of Raynaud's disease?
Signs and symptoms of Raynaud's disease include: Cold fingers or toes. Color changes in your skin in response to cold or stress. Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain ...
How to prevent Raynaud's attacks?
Prevention. To help prevent Raynaud's attacks: Bundle up outdoors. When it's cold, don a hat, scarf, socks and boots, and two layers of mittens or gloves before you go outside. Wear a coat with snug cuffs to go around your mittens or gloves, to prevent cold air from reaching your hands. Also use chemical hand warmers.
How long does it take for Raynaud's to heal?
After you warm up, the return of normal blood flow to the area can take 15 minutes.
Is Raynaud's disease disabling?
Treatment of Raynaud's disease depends on its severity and whether you have other health conditions. For most people, Raynaud's disease isn't disabling, but it can affect your quality of life.
Is Raynaud's disease a secondary disease?
Also called Raynaud's disease, this most common form isn't the result of an associated medical condition. It can be so mild that many people with primary Raynaud's don't seek treatment. And it can resolve on its own. Secondary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's phenomenon, this form is caused by an underlying problem.
Can Raynaud's cause tissue damage?
Complications. If secondary Raynaud's is severe — which is rare — reduced blood flow to your fingers or toes could cause tissue damage. A completely blocked artery can lead to sores (skin ulcers) or dead tissue, both of which can be difficult to treat.
What is secondary Raynaud's phenomenon?
Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon, as the name makes clear, is a phenomenon in which blood flow to the fingers and toes is limited, causing cold extremities and sometimes pain. The condition is made worse by cold temperatures. The amount of time that these extremities stay cold can vary.
Is Raynaud's disease an autoimmune disease?
Primary Raynaud’s is when the symptoms appear without any other disease. Therefore, primary Raynaud’s is not an autoimmune disease. However, a person suffering from Raynaud’s could have an undiagnosed autoimmune disease.
