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Raynaud Phenomenon Updated 3/2011

Herbert L. Muncie, Jr., MD
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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Surgery

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS

Description

Idiopathic intermittent episodes of vasoconstriction of digital arteries, precapillary arterioles, and cutaneous arteriovenous shunts in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress. A triphasic color change of the fingers (occasionally, of the toes) is the physical manifestation of the episodes. Thumbs are rarely involved. The initial color is white from extreme pallor, then blue from cyanosis; and finally with warming and vasodilatation intense redness develops. Swelling, throbbing, and paresthesias are the final symptoms:

  • Primary (idiopathic Raynaud disease):
    • 80% of patients with Raynaud phenomenon have primary disease.
    • Episodes are bilateral and nonprogressive.
    • Diagnosis confirmed only if after >2 years of symptoms, no underlying associated disease develops
  • Secondary (Raynaud syndrome):
    • Progressive and asymmetric
    • Spasm is more frequent and more severe ...

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See Also
Images >
In Raynaud's disease, wrist pulses are typically normal but spasm of more distal arteries causes episodes of sharply demarcated pallor of the fingers.Credit: Source of photo: Marks R: Skin Disease in Old Age. Philadelphia, JB Lippincott, 1987.
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