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Raynaud's disease or syndrome: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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[ Causes and pathogenesis of Raynaud's disease or syndrome
Raynaud's syndrome is characterized by ischemia caused by cold or emotional overload. Raynaud's syndrome is most often found in rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma, dermatomyositis, Shagren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and nodular periarthritis), diseases caused by the presence of abnormal proteins in the blood (cryoglobulins, cryofibrinogen, macroglobulins). When the cause of Raynaud's syndrome cannot be determined, it is called Raynaud's disease. Provoking factors include cold, medications, vibrating instruments.
In the pathogenesis of the disease, the state of the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the tone of blood vessels, is of great importance. In this regard, sympathectomy or the use of alpha-adrenergic blockers are used in treatment.
Symptoms of Raynaud's disease or syndrome
Patients with Raynaud's syndrome complain of numbness and pain in the fingers or toes caused by vascular spasm and ischemia. The pallor extends from the fingertips in the proximal direction and has a clearly defined border. Distal to this border, the skin is cold, pale or bluish, proximally - warm and pink. When the fingers warm up again, the pallor is replaced by cyanosis due to the slowing of blood flow. And finally, at the end of the attack, redness of the fingers and reactive hyperemia are observed. The attack affects one or two or all fingers at once. Sometimes a vascular reaction is observed on the tip of the nose, tongue and earlobes.
In Raynaud's syndrome, vascular spasm is persistent and lasts for quite a long time. The skin atrophies, trophic disorders appear, and sclerodactyly develops. Raynaud's syndrome, caused by scleroderma, is often accompanied by painful ulcers, cracks, and gangrene. In severe cases, self-amputation of the distal phalanges occurs. Nails change (clubbing, eponychium). Raynaud's syndrome is accompanied by symptoms such as arthralgia, fatigue, dysphagia, muscle weakness, etc.
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Treatment of Raynaud's disease or syndrome
Ganglionic blockers (gangleron, benzohexonium, etc.), adrenergic blocking agents (phentolamine, dihydroergotamine), agapurin, vitamins E, C, group B, estrogenic hormones, drugs that dilate peripheral vessels are prescribed. If there is no effect, sympathectomy is performed.