Raynaud's Syndrome - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Raynaud's phenomenon is an excessive spasm of peripheral blood vessels, which causes a reduction in blood flow to the regions involved. This event is associated with a local sensation of pain, burning, numbness and tingling, as well as reversible changes in the skin color (pallor, cyanosis, erythema or a combination of these).

Raynaud's phenomenon occurs in response to exposure to cold, emotional stress or vibration. It occurs mainly in one or more fingers and toes; occasionally, the tip of the nose, the lobes of the ears, the tongue and other parts of the body are affected, where the small blood vessels are more sensitive to temperature changes. Raynaud's phenomenon regresses by removing the stimulus.

Vasospasm may persist for minutes or hours, but is rarely so severe as to cause tissue damage, such as ulcers, infections and gangrene. Raynaud's phenomenon may be primitive (not associated with any other medical problem) or secondary to underlying diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. The secondary form is particularly common in people with connective tissue diseases, including scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis), Sjögren's syndrome, mixed or undifferentiated connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Other possible causes are neurological (eg stroke, multiple sclerosis and poliomyelitis), vascular (eg atherosclerosis and Buerger disease), haematological (especially pathologies that increase blood viscosity) and neoplastic diseases. Furthermore, Raynaud's phenomenon may result from trauma, carpal tunnel syndrome and disorders of the thyroid gland. In some cases, it represents a side effect of β-blockers, nicotine, cocaine and ergotamine preparations.