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 occurs as a result of some other condition and has an older age at onset; episodes are intensely painful and can be asymmetric and associated with skin lesions.^[3] 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.^[7] 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]