Types of Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon: Types list
The list of types of Raynaud's phenomenon mentioned in various sources includes:
- 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
Types discussion:
Questions and Answers about Raynaud's Phenomenon: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Doctors classify Raynaud's phenomenon as either the
primary or the secondary form. In medical literature, "primary Raynaud's
phenomenon" may also be called Raynaud's disease, idiopathic Raynaud's
phenomenon, or primary Raynaud's syndrome. The terms idiopathic and
primary both mean that the cause is unknown.
Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon
Most people who have Raynaud's phenomenon have the primary
form (the milder version). A person who has primary Raynaud's phenomenon
has no underlying disease or associated medical problems. More women
than men are affected, and approximately 75 percent of all cases are
diagnosed in women who are between 15 and 40 years old.
People who have only vasospastic attacks for several
years, without involvement of other body systems or organs, rarely have
or will develop a secondary disease (that is, a connective tissue
disorder such as scleroderma) later. Several researchers who studied
people who appeared to have primary Raynaud's phenomenon over long
periods of time found that less than 9 percent of these people developed
a secondary disease.
Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon
Although secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is less common
than the primary form, it is often a more complex and serious disorder.
Secondary means that patients have an underlying disease or condition
that causes Raynaud's phenomenon. Connective tissue diseases are the
most common cause of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Some of these
diseases reduce blood flow to the digits by causing blood vessel walls
to thicken and the vessels to constrict too easily. Raynaud's phenomenon
is seen in approximately 85 to 95 percent of patients with scleroderma
and mixed connective tissue disease, and it is present in about
one-third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Raynaud's
phenomenon also can occur in patients who have other connective tissue
diseases, including Sjögren's syndrome, dermatomyositis, and
polymyositis.
Possible causes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, other
than connective tissue diseases, are carpal tunnel syndrome and
obstructive arterial disease (blood vessel disease). Some drugs,
including beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), ergotamine
preparations (used for migraine headaches), certain agents used in
cancer chemotherapy, and drugs that cause vasoconstriction (such as some
over-the-counter cold medications and narcotics), are linked to
Raynaud's phenomenon.
People in certain occupations may be more vulnerable to
secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Some workers in the plastics industry
(who are exposed to vinyl chloride) develop a scleroderma-like illness,
of which Raynaud's phenomenon can be a part. Workers who operate
vibrating tools can develop a type of Raynaud's phenomenon called
vibration-induced white finger.
People with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon often
experience associated medical problems. The more serious problems are
skin ulcers (sores) or gangrene (tissue death) in the fingers or toes.
Painful ulcers and gangrene are fairly common and can be difficult to
treat. In addition, a person may experience heartburn or difficulty in
swallowing. These two problems are caused by weakness in the muscle of
the esophagus (the tube that takes food and liquids from the mouth to
the stomach) that can occur in people with connective tissue
diseases. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers about Raynaud's Phenomenon: NIAMS)
NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Primary Raynaud's usually affects both hands and both feet, and the
cause is not known for certain. Secondary Raynaud's usually affects either both
hands or both feet. Causes of secondary Raynaud's can be identified. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI)
Raynauds Phenomenon: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Most people have primary Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is the milder form
of the disorder. Approximately 75% of all cases are diagnosed in women
between 15 and 40 years of age. Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon is much
less common, but is more complex and serious. It is characterized by an
underlying disease or condition that causes vasoconstriction such as
connective tissue diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, or obstructive
arterial disease. It can also occur in reaction to certain drugs (e.g.,
beta blockers, certain cancer chemotherapies) or environmental exposures
(e.g., vinyl chloride used in the plastics industry). (Source: excerpt from Raynauds Phenomenon: NWHIC)
Raynaud's phenomenon: Related Disease Topics
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