Raynaud's phenomenon

Introduction: Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon: A disorder of the small blood vessels of the extremities, causing coldness and reduced blood flow. In response to cold or anxiety, these vessels go ... more about Raynaud's phenomenon.

Raynaud's phenomenon: Blood vessel constriction attacks affecting fingers and/or toes. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Raynaud's phenomenon is available below.

Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon

• Symptoms usually affect fingers, toes, nose, lips or earlobes
• Skin color changes
• Skin whiteness then blueness then redness
• Cold sensitivity
• Pallor (whiteness)

See full list of 51 symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon

Medical Textbooks Online about Raynaud's phenomenon

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Raynaud's phenomenon

• Physical exam
• Nailfold capillaroscopy
• Antinuclear antibody test (ANA)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Read more about tests for Raynaud's phenomenon

Wrongly Diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon?

• Misdiagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon
• Underlying causes of Raynaud's phenomenon (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Raynaud's phenomenon

Yeast infection not to be missed: Yeast infections can affect the baby’s mouth and mother’s breast and can hence threaten the continuation of breastfeeding but to the extreme pain that it causes. It is a difficult condition to diagnose. The pain described by the mother is a burning, shooting type of pain in the nipples and the breast which is similar to that of Raynaud’s phenomenon and fibromyalgia and hence it may be missed by the clinician. Mother and the child should be treated at the same time, even if only one has the symptoms as they can pass the infection back and forth....read more »

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Causes of Raynaud's phenomenon

• Scleroderma - causes Raynaud's and other symptoms often appear late.
• Lupus
• Connective tissue diseases
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Dermatomyositis

See full list of 19 causes of Raynaud's phenomenon

More information about causes of Raynaud's phenomenon:

• Triggers for Raynaud's phenomenon
• Medications, drugs, or substances causing Raynaud's phenomenon (17 listings)
• Underlying causes of Raynaud's phenomenon
• Raynaud's phenomenon as a complication caused by other conditions
• Raynaud's phenomenon as a symptom

Treatments for Raynaud's phenomenon

• Treatments for a Raynaud's attack:
  • Warming - promptly warm the hands or feet
  • Relaxation
  • Biofeedback
• Treat the underlying cause - for the underlying causes of secondary Raynaud's.

See full list of 21 treatments for Raynaud's phenomenon

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Patient Surveys for Raynaud's phenomenon

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Prognosis for Raynaud's phenomenon

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Reseach about Raynaud's phenomenon

Visit our research pages for current research about Raynaud's phenomenon treatments.

Clinical Trials for Raynaud's phenomenon

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Raynaud's phenomenon include:

• Phase III Study of Topical Gel for Treatment and Prevention of Raynaud's Phenomenon - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - topical organogel with nitroglycerin
• Dose Response Study of a Topical Gel for the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - MQX-503
• Lab Study of MQX-503 in Treatment of Raynaud's - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - topical organogel with nitroglycerin
• Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Iloprost for Raynaud's Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - iloprost
• Efficacy and Tolerability of Ginkgo Biloba Extract in Patients With Raynauds Phenomenon - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761®

See full list of 9 Clinical Trials for Raynaud's phenomenon

Prevention of Raynaud's phenomenon

Prevention information for Raynaud's phenomenon has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Raynaud's phenomenon.

• Stay warm
• Warm clothing
• Avoid cold weather
• Keep feet warm
• Keep hands warm

Read more about prevention of Raynaud's phenomenon

Statistics for Raynaud's phenomenon

• Medical statistics for Raynaud's phenomenon
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Raynaud's phenomenon
• Death and Mortality statistics for Raynaud's phenomenon
• Society statistics for Raynaud's phenomenon

Types of Raynaud's phenomenon

• Primary Raynaud's phenomenon - most common form; of unknown causes without an underlying cause.
• Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon - caused by another condition such as lupus or scleroderma.
• Vibration-induced white finger - caused by vibrating tools

Read more about Types of Raynaud's phenomenon

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Raynaud's phenomenon

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Raynaud's phenomenon

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Article Excerpts about Raynaud's phenomenon

Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS (Excerpt)

A disorder of the small blood vessels of the extremities, causing coldness and reduced blood flow. In response to cold or anxiety, these vessels go into spasms, causing pain, the sensations of burning and tingling, and color changes. (Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS)

Questions and Answers about Raynaud's Phenomenon: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Raynaud's phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This disorder is characterized by episodic attacks, called vasospastic attacks, that cause the blood vessels in the digits (fingers and toes) to constrict (narrow). Raynaud's phenomenon can occur on its own, or it can be secondary to another condition such as scleroderma or lupus. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers about Raynaud's Phenomenon: NIAMS)

NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI (Excerpt)

Raynaud's Phenomenon is a Disorder of the small blood vessels that feed the skin. During an attack of Raynaud's, these arteries contract briefly, limiting blood flow. This is called a vasospasm. Deprived of the blood's oxygen, the skin first turns white then blue. The skin turns red as the arteries relax and blood flows again. Extremities--hands and feet--are most commonly affected, but Raynaud's can attack other areas such as the nose and ears. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI)

Raynauds Phenomenon: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This disorder is characterized by episodic attacks, called vasospastic attacks, that cause the blood vessels in the digits (fingers and toes) to constrict (narrow). (Source: excerpt from Raynauds Phenomenon: NWHIC)

Definitions of Raynaud's phenomenon:

WHAT: Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's Phenomenon: the paroxysmal constriction of the small arteries and arterioles of the hands or feet, usually precipitated by cold or emotional upset, resulting in pallor and cyanosis of the fingers or toes following a characteristic pattern. WHY: Raynaud's phenomenon may occur in mixed connective tissue disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, poly- myositis/dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis associated with Sjogren's syndrome. HOW: In Raynaud's phenomenon there are three classic color changes of the fingers or toes. First, vasoconstriction results in a white blanching of the fingertips. Second, vasodilatation with sludging of vascular flow follows and results in blue, cyanotic digits. Finally, with recovery, there is increased blood flow with resulting erythema of the fingers. With observation of two of the three color changes, Raynaud's phenomenon is considered present. Local body cooling (by placing the hands in ice cold water) may demonstrate Raynaud's phenomenon, but some cases require general body cooling before the characteristic color phases occur. Permanent tissue damage can be induced by this testing, which therefore must be done only when absolutely necessary. If the digits show persistent cyanosis or there is evidence of pre-existing necrosis, performing this test is especially hazardous. One or more digits may be involved in Raynaud's phenomenon, and this involvement may be unilateral. REFS: 1) Spittell, JA: "Raynaud's phenomenon and allied vasospastic disorders". In Juergens, JL et al. (eds.): Peripheral Vascular Diseases, pp. 555-83. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1980. 2) Porter, JM; Snider, RL; Bardana, EJ; Rosch, J and Eidemiller, LR: The diagnosis and treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon. Surgery 77:11, 1975. DN19300-3. - (Source - Diseases Database)