Causes of Raynaud's phenomenon

List of causes of Raynaud's phenomenon

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Raynaud's phenomenon) that could possibly cause Raynaud's phenomenon includes:

• Scleroderma - causes Raynaud's and other symptoms often appear late.
• Lupus
• Connective tissue diseases
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Dermatomyositis
• Polymyositis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Obstructive arterial disease
• Vibrating tools - causing vibration-induced white finger.
• Artery diseases
• Arteriosclerosis
• Nerve problems
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Injury
• Surgery
• Buerger's disease
• Myxedema
• Certain drugs
• Certain blood vessel conditions
• Anxiety (type of Neurosis)
• Fabry disease
• Medication induced
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Prolonged working with vibrating tools
• Thoracic outlet disease
• Cold weather
• Collagen vascular disease
• Stress
• Vasculitis
• CREST syndrome
• Cold agglutinin syndrome
• Limited scleroderma
• Thromboembolic phenomenon

Causes of Raynaud's phenomenon (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Raynaud's phenomenon that are listed by the Diseases Database:

• Ergotamine
• Atenolol
• Amyloidosis
• Mixed essential cryoglobulinaemia
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Fabry's disease
• Embolism
• Piribedil
• Arsenic trioxide
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Pergolide
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Systemic sclerosis
• Phaeochromocytoma
• Mixed connective tissue disease
• Pituitary tumour (growth hormone secreting)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Polyarteritis nodosa
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Cabergoline
• Transverse myelitis
• Atherosclerosis
• Waldenström macroglobulinaemia
• Sicca syndrome
• Leukemia
• Thallium
• Intervertebral disc herniation
• Polymyositis
• Arsenicals
• Polycythaemia rubra vera
• Takayasu's arteritis
• Ergometrine
• Lysuride
• Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria
• Cervical rib
• Cold agglutinins
• Methysergide
• Thromboangiitis obliterans
• Myeloma
• Propranolol
• Lead
• Bromocriptine
• Hand arm vibration syndrome
• Calcinosis-Raynaud's sclerodactyly-telangiectasia syndrome
• Melarsoprol
• Ropinirole
• Raynaud's disease
• Syringomyelia
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Rheumatoid disease
• Cryoglobulinaemia

Raynaud's phenomenon as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Raynaud's phenomenon as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Raynaud's phenomenon. Our database lists the following as having Raynaud's phenomenon as a complication of that condition:

• Lupus
• Scleroderma

Raynaud's phenomenon as a symptom:

Conditions listing Raynaud's phenomenon as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Raynaud's phenomenon. Our database lists the following as having Raynaud's phenomenon as a symptom of that condition:

• Antisynthetase syndrome
• Atrial myxoma, familial
• CREST syndrome
• Dermatomyositis
• Diffuse systemic sclerosi
• Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis
• Lupus
• REST syndrome
• Reynolds syndrome
• Scleroderma

Medications or substances causing Raynaud's phenomenon:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Raynaud's phenomenon as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Beta-blockers - often used for hypertension.
• Ergotamine preparations - for migraine headaches.
• Clonidine
• Ergot alkaloids
• Certain chemotherapy agents
• more drugs...»

See full list of 17 medications causing Raynaud's phenomenon

What causes Raynaud's phenomenon?

Article excerpts about the causes of Raynaud's phenomenon:
Doctors do not completely understand the cause of Raynaud's, but they believe the body's blood vessels overreact to cold.

When the body is exposed to cold, the hands and feet lose heat rapidly. To conserve heat, the body reduces the amount of blood flowing to these areas by narrowing the small arteries that supply them with blood. In persons with Raynaud's, these small blood vessels overrespond to cold. For example, reaching into a refrigerator may trigger an attack.

Cold temperatures are more likely to provoke an attack when the individual is physically or emotionally stressed. For some persons, exposure to cold is not even necessary; stress alone causes vessels to narrow. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI)

What triggers Raynaud's phenomenon?

The following conditions are listed as possible triggers for Raynaud's phenomenon:

• Cold weather
• Cold climate
• Cold exposure
• Emotional stress
• Smoking

Related information on causes of Raynaud's phenomenon:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Raynaud's phenomenon may be found in:

• Medications that may cause Raynaud's phenomenon
• Hidden causes of Raynaud's phenomenon

Causes of Raynaud's phenomenon: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Raynaud's Phenomenon: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

• Primary (idiopathic) disease
• Secondary disease associated with underlying systemic conditions
  –Scleroderma or CREST
  –Systemic lupus erythematosus
  –Rheumatoid arthritis
  –Mixed connective tissue disease
  –Sjögren's syndrome
• Arteriosclerosis obliterans
• Thromboangiitis obliterans
  –Associated with male smokers
• Arterial embolism
  –Acute onset
  –Pulseless
• Cryoglobulinemia
  –Hepatitis C
• Cold agglutinins
  –Mycoplasma infection
• Macroglobulinemia
  –Multiple myeloma
• Polycythemia vera
• Vasculitis (e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis)
• Hepatitis B
• Hypothyroidism
• Thoracic outlet syndrome (brachial plexus)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Drugs: β-blockers, methysergide, bleomycin, vinblastine, clonidine, cyclosporine, ergot preparations
• Trauma
  –Often associated with vibratory tool workers, pianists, typists, or meat cutters
• Hypothenar hammer syndrome
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Syringomyelia
• Poliomyelitis
• Neoplasms
• Vinyl chloride poisoning
• Arteriovenous fistula

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Raynaud Phenomenon: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Raynaud phenomenon is triphasic
  –Pallor (white): Decreased cutaneous blood flow
  –Cyanosis (blue): Venous stasis
  –Erythema (red): Reflex vasodilation
  –Fingers are affected more than toes; earlobes, tip of nose, lips, and tongue may also be affected
  –The presence of intense, painful episodes with ischemic skin lesions and clinical features (arthritis, rash) of a connective tissue disease suggests a secondary cause
  –Idiopathic Raynaud is uncommon in children apart from familial benign type; however, if there are no clinical or laboratory signs in the 2 years after Raynaud develops, an underlying disease is unlikely

• Familial benign type
  –Median age at onset is around 14 years
  –Positive family history in a first-degree relative in 25%
  –ESR is normal and ANA is negative
• Connective tissue disease
  –Scleroderma: Almost 90% have Raynaud; it is the initial symptom in most cases
  –May also be found in SLE and CREST syndrome
• Vascular diseases
  –Takayasu arteritis
  –Giant cell arteritis
  –Arteriosclerosis
  –Thromboangitis obliterans
  –Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Environmental causes
  –Frostbite
  –Polyvinyl chloride disease
  –Vibration disease
  –Hypothenar hammer syndrome
• Neuropathy (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Primary endocrine abnormalities
  –Hypothyroidism
  –GH excess/acromegaly
• Hormone-secreting tumors
  –Pheochromocytoma
  –Carcinoid syndrome

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Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Raynaud's disease: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Although the cause is unknown, several theories account for the reduced digital blood flow: intrinsic vascular wall hyperactivity to cold, increased vasomotor tone due to sympathetic stimulation, and antigen-antibody immune response (the most likely theory because abnormal immunologic test results accompany Raynaud’s phenomenon). Risk factors include associated diseases (Buerger’s disease, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and SLE) and smoking.

This disorder affects females more often than males.

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Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Raynaud Phenomenon: Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)

❑ Idiopathic

❑ Systemic lupus erythematosus

❑ Scleroderma

❑ Drugs

❑ Thoracic outlet syndrome

❑ Subclavian atherosclerosis

❑ Cryoglobulinemia

❑ Chronic vibration exposure

❑ Frostbite

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Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007

Raynaud's disease: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Although the cause is unknown, several theories account for the reduced digital blood flow: intrinsic vascular wall hyperactivity to cold, increased vasomotor tone resulting from sympathetic stimulation, and antigen-antibody immune response (the most probable theory, because abnormal immunologic test results accompany Raynaud’s phenomenon).

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Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Tracheal tugging [Oliver-Cardarelli phenomenon, Oliver sign]: Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

Aortic arch aneurysm.A large aneurysm can distort and compress surrounding tissues and structures, producing tracheal tugging. The cardinal sign of this aneurysm is severe pain in the substernal area, sometimes radiating to the back or side of the chest. A sudden increase in pain may herald impending rupture—a medical emergency. Depending on the aneurysm's site and size, associated findings may include a visible pulsatile mass in the first or second intercostal space or suprasternal notch, a diastolic murmur of aortic insufficiency, and an aortic systolic murmur and thrill in the absence of any peripheral signs of aortic stenosis. Dyspnea and stridor may occur with hoarseness, dysphagia, brassy cough, and hemoptysis. Jugular vein distention may also develop along with edema of the face, neck, or arm. Compression of the left main bronchus can cause atelectasis of the left lung.

Hodgkin's disease.A tumor that develops adjacent to the aortic arch can cause tracheal tugging. Initial signs and symptoms include usually painless cervical lymphadenopathy, sustained or remittent fever, fatigue, malaise, pruritus, night sweats, and weight loss. Swollen lymph nodes may become tender and painful. Later findings include dyspnea and stridor; dry cough; dysphagia; jugular vein distention; edema of the face, neck, or arm; hepatosplenomegaly; hyperpigmentation, jaundice, or pallor; and neuralgia.

Thymoma.Thymoma is a rare tumor that can cause tracheal tugging if it develops in the anterior mediastinum. Cough, chest pain, dysphagia, dyspnea, hoarseness, a palpable neck mass, jugular vein distention, and edema of the face, neck, or upper arm are common findings.

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Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007