RAYNAUD’S DISEASE
If you suffer from Raynaud’s disease, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is Raynaud’s Disease?
Raynaud’s disease causes small blood vessels in the fingers and toes to narrow temporarily, reducing blood flow during exposure to cold temperatures or emotional stress. Many people experience color changes that progress from white to blue and then red as blood flow returns. Episodes may also bring numbness, tingling, throbbing, or pain that lasts from several minutes to more than an hour.
Specialists classify Raynaud’s disease into primary and secondary forms. Primary Raynaud’s develops without another underlying medical condition, while secondary Raynaud’s often accompanies autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or lupus. Treatment focuses on preventing attacks through warm clothing, stress management, smoking cessation, and avoidance of sudden temperature changes. Specialists may also prescribe medications that relax blood vessels and improve circulation for people with frequent or severe episodes.
What Causes Raynaud’s Disease?
Specialists do not fully understand why primary Raynaud’s disease develops, but many researchers suspect that inherited traits, abnormal blood vessel responses, and nervous system activity increase sensitivity to cold temperatures and emotional stress. Exposure to cold or stressful situations can trigger sudden narrowing of small blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the fingers and toes.
Secondary Raynaud’s disease develops because another medical condition or external factor damages blood vessels or connective tissue. Autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, commonly contribute to secondary Raynaud’s. Repeated hand injuries, vibrating tool use, smoking, certain medications, and diseases that affect blood vessels or circulation can also increase the risk of developing Raynaud’s disease.
What are the Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease?
Symptoms can appear differently depending on the patient. Common symptoms may include:
- Fingers turning pale or white and then blue when exposed to cold, stress or emotional turmoil, then back to red when warm again.
- Hands swell painfully when warm.
- Sores developing on the finger pads.
- Gangrene that causes infection in the fingers that may require amputation in rare cases.
How is Raynaud’s Disease Diagnosed?
During a physical exam, a physician may expose a patient’s hand to a cold challenge test, and watch to see how the color changes in the hands and fingers. Specialists may also use a microscope to examine the small blood vessels in the fingernails. Adults who develop Raynaud’s Disease after the age of 35 may need further testing for underlying diseases. Patients may also have blood tests done to see if they have primary or secondary Raynaud’s.
Treatment for Raynaud’s Disease
Treatment for mild Raynaud’s disease focuses on preventing attacks and improving blood flow. People can wear warm gloves and socks, avoid sudden temperature changes, manage stress, and stop smoking to reduce blood vessel constriction. Regular exercise, good skin care, and avoidance of medications that narrow blood vessels may also help decrease the frequency and severity of attacks.
Treatment for severe Raynaud’s disease often requires prescription medications and management of underlying health conditions. Specialists may prescribe calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, or other medications that relax blood vessels and improve circulation. People with secondary Raynaud’s disease often benefit from treatment that targets autoimmune disorders or other contributing conditions. Severe cases involving skin ulcers, tissue damage, or poor circulation may require advanced therapies, wound care, or surgery to restore blood flow and prevent permanent tissue injury.
If you would like to seek care from a Hand Specialist Fort Worth or Dallas area, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us online. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
