A psychophysiological disorder in which capillaries, esp. in the fingers and toes, are subject to spasm. The disorder is characterized by cold, moist hands, accompanied by pain and may progress to gangrene.
Disease that typically affects women between the ages of 18 and 30 years, and is characterized by abnormal constriction of the arteries of the extremities, particularly the fingers; usually appears following exposure to cold.
A disorder characterized by numbness in fingers or toes due to intermittent constriction of arterioles.
A condition in which the arteries carrying blood to the fingers or toes constrict on exposure to cold or during emotional upset. The fingers or toes turn chalky white, and they may also sting or feel cold and numb. The skin may turn blue and then red when normal blood flow is restored. Unlike Raynaud phenomenon, Raynaud disease is an exaggerated version of a normal reflex that restricts blood flow to the extremities, and the disease is usually more of a nuisance than a disability.
A condition of unknown cause in which the arteries of the fingers are unduly reactive and enter spasm (angio-spasm or vasospasm) when the hands are cold. This produces attacks of pallor, numbness, and discomfort in the fingers. A similar conditon {Raynaud’s phenomenon) may result from atherosclerosis, collagen diseases, ingestion of ergot derivatives, or the frequent use of vibrating tools. Gangrene or ulceration of the finger tips may result from lack of blood to the affected part. Warm gloves and antispasmodic drugs (such as phenoxybenzamine) may relieve the condition. In unresponsive cases ‘sympathectomy is of value.
So called after Maurice Raynaud (1834-81), the Paris physician who published a thesis on the subject in 1862. This is a condition in which the circulation becomes suddenly obstructed in outlying parts of the body. It is supposed to be due to spasm of the smaller arteries in the affected part, as the result of them responding abnormally to impuilses from the sympathetic nervous system. Its effects are increased both by cold and by various diseases involving the blood vessels.
Raynaud’s disease is a vascular condition where exposure to cold triggers a sudden constriction of the small arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes. This leads to reduced blood flow, causing the digits to turn pale. Fingers are more commonly affected than toes. The exact cause of Raynaud’s disease is not known, but it most frequently impacts young women.
The symptoms manifest without any identifiable cause. When exposed to cold, the affected fingers or toes turn white due to restricted blood flow. As blood flow slowly resumes, the digits turn blue; they then become red as they warm up and normal circulation is restored. During such episodes, individuals often experience sensations like tingling, numbness, or a burning feeling in the affected areas. In uncommon instances, the walls of the arteries may progressively thicken, resulting in permanent reduction of blood flow. This can lead to painful ulcers or even gangrene, which is the death of tissue, at the tips of the affected digits.
The diagnosis is determined based on the patient’s medical history. The recommended treatment focuses on keeping the hands and feet adequately warm. In more severe instances, medications like vasodilators or calcium channel blockers may be prescribed.
This condition involves periodic episodes where the extremities, like fingers or toes, become pale or overly red, returning to their normal color between episodes. Often seen in young women, it’s a result of an extreme reaction to cold in blood vessels that are otherwise healthy. These vessels can spasm, reducing blood flow to the affected areas. Wearing warm clothes and protecting hands with gloves or mittens can help prevent these episodes. There are also medications available that can alleviate the vessel spasms. If these methods don’t work and the condition is intense, a solution might be to surgically cut the sympathetic nerves to the arm in the neck region.