Medical expert of the article
New publications
Raynaud's disease or syndrome: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
[Reasons and pathogenesis of Raynaud's disease or syndrome
Reynaud's syndrome is characterized by ischemia arising from cold or emotional overload. Reynaud's syndrome is most common 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 (cryoglobulins, cryofibrinogen, macroglobulins) in the blood. When it is not possible to find out the cause of Raynaud's syndrome, they speak of Raynaud's disease. The provoking factors are cold, medicines, vibrating instruments.
In the pathogenesis of the disease of great importance is the state of the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the tone of blood vessels. In this regard, the treatment resorted to sympathectomy or the use of alpha-blockers.
Symptoms of Raynaud's Disease or Syndrome
Patients with Raynaud's syndrome complain of numbness and pain in the fingers or toes caused by vasospasm and ischemia. Pimples extend from the fingertips in the proximal direction and have a clearly defined border. Distal to this boundary, the skin is cold, pale or bluish, proximal - warm and pink. When the fingers are warmed again, the blanching is replaced by cyanosis due to a slowing of the blood flow. And, finally, at the end of the attack, reddening of the fingers, reactive hyperemia is observed. The attack covers one or two or all of the fingers at once. Sometimes a vascular reaction is observed at the tip of the nose, tongue and ear lobes.
With Reynaud's syndrome, vasospasm is persistent and lasts 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 distal phalanges occurs. There is a change in nails (nails in the form of drum sticks, eponymichia). Raynaud's syndrome is accompanied by symptoms such as arthralgia, fatigue, dysphagia, muscle weakness, etc.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treating Raynaud's Disease or Syndrome
Assign ganglion blockers (gangleron, benzohexonium, etc.), adrenoblocking agents (phentolamine, dihydroergotamine), agapurine, vitamins E, C, group B, estrogenic hormones, drugs that dilate the peripheral vessels. In the absence of effect, sympathectomy is performed.