Raynaud's Phenomenon

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Raynaud's Phenomenon (pronounced ray-NOHZ fen-uh-ME-non) is a medical condition characterized by episodic vasospasm (narrowing of the blood vessels) in the fingers and toes, often in response to cold or stress.

Etymology

The condition is named after the French physician Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud, who first described it in his doctoral thesis in 1862.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of Raynaud's Phenomenon include cold fingers or toes, color changes in the skin in response to cold or stress, and a numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief.

Types

There are two types of Raynaud's Phenomenon: Primary Raynaud's (also known as Raynaud's Disease) and Secondary Raynaud's (also known as Raynaud's Syndrome). Primary Raynaud's is the most common type and isn't associated with any underlying medical condition. Secondary Raynaud's is less common but is often a symptom of another medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Raynaud's Phenomenon typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. In some cases, a doctor may perform a nailfold capillaroscopy, where a drop of oil is placed on the patient's nailfold, then examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities of the tiny blood vessels.

Treatment

Treatment for Raynaud's Phenomenon focuses on reducing the number and severity of attacks to prevent tissue damage. This can include lifestyle changes, such as avoiding cold and stress, and medication to dilate blood vessels. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

See Also

External links

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