Raynaud syndrome, a functional peripheral arterial disease, is a condition in which small arteries (arterioles), usually in the fingers or toes, narrow (constrict) more tightly than normal in response to exposure to cold.
Constriction of small arteries causes fingers (or toes) to become pale or bluish, numb, and tingle.
Doctors can often make a diagnosis on the basis of the person’s symptoms.
Keeping warm, avoiding smoking, and sometimes taking drugs may help.
Raynaud syndrome may be
Primary, meaning no cause is apparent (also called Raynaud disease)
Secondary, meaning an underlying disorder can be identified (also called Raynaud phenomenon)
Doctors use the term Raynaud syndrome to refer to either.
Primary Raynaud syndrome
Primary Raynaud syndrome is much more common then secondary Raynaud syndrome. Between 60% and 90% of cases of primary Raynaud syndrome occur in women aged 15 to 40 years.
Anything that stimulates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, particularly exposure to cold but also strong emotion, can cause arteries to constrict and thus trigger primary Raynaud syndrome.
Secondary Raynaud syndrome
Secondary Raynaud syndrome may occur in people with
Cryoglobulinemia (see What is Cryoglobulinemia?)
Injury
Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
Use of drugs or medications that constrict blood vessels can also make Raynaud syndrome worse.
Some people with Raynaud syndrome also have other disorders that occur when arteries are prone to constrict. These disorders include migraines, variant angina (chest pain that occurs while at rest), and high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). The association of Raynaud syndrome with these disorders suggests that the cause of arterial constriction may be the same in all of them.
Symptoms of Raynaud Syndrome
Constriction of small arteries in the fingers and toes begins quickly, most often triggered by exposure to cold. It may last minutes or hours. The fingers and toes become pale (pallor) or bluish (cyanosis), usually in patches. Only one finger or toe or parts of one or more may be affected. Numbness, tingling, a pins-and-needles sensation, and a burning sensation in the fingers or toes are common. As the episode ends, the affected areas may be redder than usual or bluish. Rewarming the hands or feet restores normal color and sensation.
If episodes of Raynaud syndrome recur and are prolonged (especially in people with systemic sclerosis), the skin of the fingers or toes may become smooth, shiny, and tight. Small painful sores may appear on the tips of the fingers or toes.
Lighter areas (pallor) are caused by absence of blood flow due to narrowing of blood vessels. The white areas develop irregularly in the fingers.
© Springer Science+Business Media
The blue areas (cyanosis) at the tips of the fingers are caused by decreased oxygen in the blood because of sluggish blood flow due to partial narrowing of the blood vessels.
© Springer Science+Business Media
This person with systemic sclerosis has sores and blue fingertips (cyanosis) due to Raynaud syndrome.
© Springer Science+Business Media
Lighter areas (pallor) are caused by absence of blood flow due to narrowing of blood vessels. The white areas develop irregularly in the fingers.
© Springer Science+Business Media
The blue areas (cyanosis) at the tips of the fingers are caused by decreased oxygen in the blood because of sluggish blood flow due to partial narrowing of the blood vessels.
© Springer Science+Business Media
This person with systemic sclerosis has sores and blue fingertips (cyanosis) due to Raynaud syndrome.
© Springer Science+Business Media
Diagnosis of Raynaud Syndrome
A doctor's evaluation
Sometimes Doppler ultrasonography
Usually, doctors suspect Raynaud syndrome on the basis of symptoms and results of the physical examination. Often, no procedures are needed to make the diagnosis.
If doctors suspect an artery is blocked, Doppler ultrasonography may be done before and after the person is exposed to cold. In people with Raynaud syndrome, blood flow and vessel diameter decrease more than in people without the disorder.
Doctors may also order blood tests to check for conditions that sometimes occur in people with Raynaud syndrome.
Treatment of Raynaud Syndrome
Avoiding triggers such as cold and stress
Smoking cessation
Medications
People can control mild Raynaud syndrome by protecting their head, trunk, arms, and legs from cold. For those who experience symptoms when they get excited, mild sedatives or biofeedback may help. People who have the disorder must stop smoking because nicotine constricts blood vessels.
Primary Raynaud syndrome is commonly treated with a calcium channel blocker
For people with secondary Raynaud syndrome, doctors treat the associated disorder.
Sympathectomy, a procedure in which certain sympathetic nerves
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
American College of Rheumatology: Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Information on symptoms and triggers and tips people living with Raynaud phenomenon
Raynaud's Association: Provides information and awareness about Raynaud phenomenon and support for people living with it
Vascular Cures: Raynaud's Disease: General information on symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of Raynaud syndrome
