Raynaud’s Disease (also called Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon) is a condition that causes color changes to the fingers, toes and sometimes the nose and ears. When a person is experiencing Raynaud’s phenomenon, blood supply is decreased in these areas due to constriction of the blood vessels. In addition to the skin color changes, the person with Raynaud’s syndrome feels numbness, throbbing and burning in the affected areas. It is not yet known what causes Raynaud’s disease, but scientists are beginning to understand what may be causing it.

An attack of Raynaud’s syndrome may be triggered by a cold environment, touching cold objects, or even by emotions. Every patient with Raynaud’s disease does not experience the same level of severity.

Raynaud’s disease affects women more than men (80% are women) and is most likely to strike those between the ages of 15 and 40. About 4-5% of the world’s population has Raynaud’s phenomenon.

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Raynaud’s syndrome can be classified into two categories: Primary and secondary. Primary Raynaud’s disease, the most common form, is when Raynaud’s phenomenon is the only condition. Secondary Raynaud’s disease, which is more complex and serious, is when the Raynaud’s phenomenon is secondary to another condition which is causing the attacks of Raynaud’s disease. Lupus, carpel tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, arterial disease, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, scleroderma, occlusive arterial disease and vibration white finger are some of the diseases that may contribute to the development of Raynaud’s syndrome.

Symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon include a white color change caused by a reduction in the blood supply, a blue color change caused by a decrease in oxygen, and a red color change caused by the return of blood to the affected areas. These three color changes, pallor, cyanosis, and rubor, respectively, can occur in any order and all three do not always occur in every attack of Raynaud’s disease. Typically, an attack of Raynaud’s syndrome lasts only a few minutes.

Diagnosis of Raynaud’s disease involves using the Allen Brown criteria: At least two or three color changes occur in response to cold or stress, they have been occurring for at least two years, and occur in both hands. For a diagnosis of primary Raynaud’s disease, the patient will have no other disorder that is causing the attacks. There are also tests available to diagnose Raynaud’s disease.

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Two blood tests, the antinuclear antibody test and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are used to determine if a patient has a connective tissue disease which usually causes abnormalities of the capillaries. These capillaries can then be studied by placing a drop of oil on the base of the fingernail and looked at through a microscope. This is called the nailfold capillary study.

Another test, the cold stimulation test, involves placing fingers or toes in ice water with thermometers taped to them for 20 seconds. After removal from the water, the temperature of the fingers or toes is taken every 5 minutes until the temperature matches what it had been before. If it takes 20 minutes or more to reach the beginning temperature, Raynaud’s disease may be diagnosed.

The treatment for Raynaud’s syndrome include keeping warm, using stress reduction techniques(exercise, hypnosis, relaxation or visualization), taking vitamins (especially vitamin E, magnesium and fish oil), taking herbs (peony, dong quai, cayenne, ginger, and prickly ash, avoiding vibrating tools and avoiding cigarette smoking.

Severe cases may need prescription drugs that will help the blood vessels to expand (dilate). Some of the drugs your doctor may prescribe are nifedipine, nitroglycerin or dilitazem. For secondary Raynaud’s disease, the attacks are often helped by the treatment of the primary disorder. For example, the use of corticosteroids to treat a connective tissue disorder also helps with the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome. These medications do have side effects, however, so talk to your doctor about the benefits vs. the risks.

Another treatment for Raynaud’s disease, which works well and is safe, is biofeedback. In biofeedback, the patient is trained how to control body functions which are normally involuntarily such as heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperature.

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