what is Raynaud’s syndrome, disease and phenomenon

For further reading please click the ( read the rest of article) please

In 1862 , Maurice Raynaud described episodic digital ischemia provoked by cold and emotion and this phenomenon has since been called Raynaud’s syndrome . Its defined as episodic pathologic attacks of white, blue and red fingers produced by cold provocation or emotional stress or both. A higher frequency of vasospastic symptoms in other organs, such as migraine and variant angina indicates that the syndrome has a more general manifestation.

The patients are usually divided onto two groups, dependent on the etiology .  the most common form of the disorder is primary Raynaud’s phenomenon ( Raynaud’s disease ). This form is called primary because no underlying disease has been found and etiology is ,so far , unknown . the other form is secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon , in which the etiology and underlying disease in most case are thought to be known . today we know that a large number of different causes can produce the phenomenon .

The triphasic response with characteristic color changes of raynaud’s on exposure to cold , the hand’s become immediately white and then blue , on warming the hands ,they become intensely red and painful .

When conducting your examination , remember the difference between Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon .

Variants	Raynaud’s disease	Raynaud’s phenomenon
Age	Usually < 40 years	Usually > 40 years
Associated conditions	None	Many systemic disease
Symmetrical involvement	Yes	No ( can Involve one hand)
Nail fold capillaries	Normal	Abnormal
Tissue necrosis or gangrene	Never occurs	Can occur
ESR	Normal	Elevated
Serologic findings ( antinuclear autoantibody ( ANA) )	Negative	Positive

Causes of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (also known as Raynaud’s disease or idiopathic episodic vasospasm)

Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon

Autoimmune diseases Scleroderma or CREST syndrome (calcinosis cutis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal involvement, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) Systemic lupus erythematosus Mixed connective tissue disease

Vasculitis Polyarteritis nodosa Polymyositis Thromboangütis obliterans Temporal arteritis Polymyalgia rheumatica

Drug induced Beta blockers Ergotamine Clonidine Bleomycin Lithium

Rheologic changes Macroglobulinemia Polycythemia Cryoglobulinemia Cryofibrinogenemia Cold agglutinins

Other causes Macrothrombosis and microthrombosis or embolism Atherosclerosis Smoking Allergy

External causes Vibration (from vibrating tools) Digital trauma (piano players) Nerve lesion or compression