Raynaud syndrome

Raynaud syndrome
Other names	Raynaud's, Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, Raynaud's syndrome[1]
The hand of a person with Raynaud syndrome during an attack.
Pronunciation	/reɪˈnoʊ/ ray-NOH
Specialty	Rheumatology
Symptoms	An affected part turning white, then blue, then red, burning[2]
Complications	skin sores, gangrene[2]
Usual onset	15–30 year old, typically females[3][4]
Duration	Up to several hours per episode[2]
Risk factors	Cold, emotional stress[2]
Diagnostic method	Based on the symptoms[3]
Differential diagnosis	Causalgia, erythromelalgia[5]
Treatment	Avoiding cold, calcium channel blockers, iloprost[3]
Frequency	4% of people[3]
Named after	Maurice Raynaud

Raynaud syndrome, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a medical condition in which the spasm of small arteries causes episodes of reduced blood flow to end arterioles.^[1] Typically the fingers, and, less commonly, the toes, are involved.^[1] Rarely, the nose, ears, nipples, or lips are affected.^[1] The episodes classically result in the affected part turning white and then blue.^[2] Often, numbness or pain occurs.^[2] As blood flow returns, the area turns red and burns.^[2] The episodes typically last minutes but can last several hours.^[2] The condition is named after the physician Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud, who first described it in his doctoral thesis in 1862.^[6]

Episodes are typically triggered by cold or emotional stress.^[2] Primary Raynaud's is idiopathic (spontaneous and of unknown cause) and not correlated with another disease. Secondary Raynaud's is diagnosed given the presence of an underlying condition and is associated with an older age of onset. ^[3] In comparison to primary Raynaud's, episodes are more likely to be painful, asymmetric and progress to digital ulcerations.^[7] Secondary Raynaud's can occur due to a connective-tissue disorder such as scleroderma or lupus, injuries to the hands, prolonged vibration, smoking, thyroid problems, and certain medications, such as birth control pills and stimulants.^[8] Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms.^[3]

The primary treatment is avoiding the cold.^[3] Other measures include the discontinuation of nicotine or stimulant use.^[3] Medications for treatment of cases that do not improve include calcium channel blockers and iloprost.^[3] There is little evidence that alternative medicine is helpful.^[3] Severe disease may in rare cases lead to complications, specifically skin sores or gangrene.^[2]

About 4% of people have the condition.^[3] Onset of the primary form is typically between ages 15 and 30 and occurs more frequently in females.^[3][4] The secondary form usually affects older people.^[4] Both forms are more common in cold climates.^[4]