Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s disease is a condition that affects the blood supply to the fingers, toes and occasionally the ears and nose. Raynaud’s disease can be classified as one of two types: primary (or idiopathic) and secondary (also called Raynaud’s phenomenon). Primary Raynaud’s disease has no predisposing factor, is more mild, and causes fewer complications. About half of all cases of Raynaud’s disease are of this type. It can occur without any other associated symptoms or disease. The fingers are the most commonly affected area, but the toes also are affected in 40 percent of people with Raynaud’s.
In severe cases, tissue damage leads to gangrene and the ends of the affected digits die and become black, requiring amputation. Fortunately this is a rare complication. Women are more likely than men are to have the disorder. It’s more common in people who live in colder climates. Use of such drugs, which constrict blood vessels, can also make Raynaud’s phenomenon worse. Some people with Raynaud’s phenomenon also have other disorders that occur when arteries are prone to constrict.
People who operate vibrating machinery may also experience this problem. If the condition progresses, blood flow to the area could become permanently decreased causing the fingers to become thin and tapered, with smooth, shiny skin and slow growing nails. People can control mild Raynaud’s disease by protecting their head, trunk, arms, and legs from cold. Secondary Raynaud’s disease is common among individuals systemic lupus erythematosus in tropical countries. Secondary Raynaud’s disease is the same as primary Raynaud’s disease, but occurs in individuals with a predisposing factor, usually a form of collagen vascular disease.
Raynaud’s disease is diagnosed if the symptoms occur only by itself and is not accompanied by other diseases. When you have primary or secondary Raynaud’s, cold temperatures or stressful emotions can trigger attacks. During these attacks, there is a brief lack of blood flow to the affected body part(s), and the skin can temporarily become white then bluish. When Raynaud’s is severe (which is uncommon), exposure to cold for as little as 20 minutes can cause major tissue damage.
Causes of Raynaud’s disease
The common causes and risk factor’s of Raynaud’s disease include the following:
The exact cause of Raynaud’s is unknown.
Smoking.
Contact with the cold.
Alcohol use (in women).
Chemical exposure.
Diseases of the arteries.
Associated diseases.
Repetitive trauma.
Emotions such as stress and anxiety.