Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more

Raynaud's Disease

What is Raynaud's Disease?

Raynaud’s disease is a rare disorder that affects the peripheral blood vessels located in the fingers or toes. The disease is characterized by excessive constriction of blood vessels in the fingers, impairing blood flow which causes discomfort and discoloration for a brief duration during the episode.

            Individuals afflicted with the disorder fall into one of two categories: primary or secondary. Those with primary Raynaud’s disease have a mutation in their genes, whereas those with secondary Raynaud’s have an underlying condition that makes them predisposed to constriction of the blood vessels (vasoconstriction). Raynaud’s disease is the proper name for primary Raynaud’s whereas Raynaud’s phenomenon is secondary Raynaud’s. Distinguishing between these two types is important to determine the course of treatment for a patient.

 

Raynaud’s disease is a rare disorder that affects the peripheral blood vessels located in the fingers or toes. The disease is characterized by excessive constriction of blood vessels in the fingers, impairing blood flow which causes discomfort and discoloration for a brief duration during the episode.

            Individuals afflicted with the disorder fall into one of two categories: primary or secondary. Those with primary Raynaud’s disease have a mutation in their genes, whereas those with secondary Raynaud’s have an underlying condition that makes them predisposed to constriction of the blood vessels (vasoconstriction). Raynaud’s disease is the proper name for primary Raynaud’s whereas Raynaud’s phenomenon is secondary Raynaud’s. Distinguishing between these two types is important to determine the course of treatment for a patient.

Acknowledgement of Raynaud's Disease has not been added yet.

Primary Raynaud’s disease is more common than secondary Raynaud’s disease and occurs in 3-5% of the adult population, with women presenting with the disease slightly more than men. Primary Raynaud’s begins in the affected individual’s late teens or early twenties, whereas secondary Raynaud’s usually starts after the age of 30.

Synonyms for Raynaud's Disease has not been added yet.

Normally, when a person is exposed to either warm or cold stimuli, the natural bodily response is for blood vessels near the surface of the skin to widen (in the former case) to allow more blood to flow and cool off or to constrict (in the latter case) to keep blood near the body’s vital organs. This intricate bodily response is governed by the interaction between the nervous system and muscle cells in the walls of the blood vessels.

            In Raynaud’s disease, there is an excessive constriction and abnormal spasms of the blood vessels in response to cold stimuli or even to stress. In primary Raynaud’s disease, there may be a genetic component that makes certain people predisposed to inheriting the disease, however, those genes or gene has not yet been identified. In secondary Raynaud’s disease, there is typically an underlying autoimmune disorder such as Lupus, Scleroderma, or Rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be associated with thyroid disorders or certain cancers.

Raynaud’s disease targets the fingers, but ears, nose, nipples, knees or toes can also be afflicted. The constriction of blood vessels in the fingers reduces circulation, causing discomfort, numbness and a pins and needles sensation. Skin discoloration can also occur, where the fingers turn blue or white from the lack of blood circulation. Raynaud’s disease is episodic, meaning the excessive constriction lasts for about 15 minutes after exposure to the stimuli. In severe cases of Raynaud’s, sores on the pads of the fingers or cellular tissue death can occur.

A correct diagnosis can only be made by a medical professional. A cold test stimulation may be performed by a medical professional to trigger Raynaud’s symptoms. A device to measure temperature is taped to the individual’s finger. If it takes longer than 20 minutes for the individual’s finger to return to normal temperature after a brief exposure to ice water, the individual may have Raynaud’s.

A nailfold capillaroscopy can also be performed to differentiate primary Raynaud’s from secondary. A physician will examine the tiny blood vessels at the base of the individual’s fingernails. If a normal pattern exists, the individual has primary Raynaud’s; if there are abnormal patterns in the tiny blood vessels, the patient has secondary Raynaud’s. Blood tests, such as antinuclear antibody and C-reactive protein are also used to help diagnosis Raynaud’s disease.

Diagnostic tests of Raynaud's Disease has not been added yet

There is no specific treatment for Raynaud’s, but lifestyle changes and medicines can reduce the severity of the episodes. Avoiding triggers such as cold temperatures, stressors, smoking cigarettes, and vibrations can reduce the number of episodes. Medicines, in a class called vasodilators or calcium channel blockers, can help open up the blood vessels, reducing the intensity of the episode.

Prognosis of primary Raynaud’s disease is very favorable, with no mortality. The prognosis for secondary Raynaud’s disease is dependent on the underlying cause.

Individuals with Raynaud’s can cope by making lifestyle adjustments. This includes protecting oneself from cold temperatures, using mittens and hand warmers, and avoiding air-conditioned spaces. Raynaud’s patients should avoid or learn to cope with stress that may trigger a flare-up. They should try to lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking.

Massage therapy/ Chiropractor?? Created by Larry
Last updated 9 Oct 2014, 11:12 PM

Posted by Kat201
9 Oct 2014, 11:12 PM

Hi Larry I take Nifedipine which really makes a difference to my Raynauds. I was on it a good 6 months though before it really kicked in. Never tried massage for this though and not sure if chiropractor can help sorry. Katrina

Posted by Larry
8 Oct 2014, 02:15 AM

I want to report that 6 massage sessions over a period of 6 weeks did not help my Raynauds one bit. The therapist massaged areas of my upper body that she said might help with the circulation in my hands. I am reluctant to try chiropractic because of this. Larry

Posted by kerrycore
17 Jul 2014, 01:53 AM

Larry, Do you have stiffness with your Raynauds? You may want to talk with a neurologist for other related diseases like myotonia congenita, paramyotonia congenita, etc. I have Raynauds and paramyotonia congenita. Massage therapy and chiropractors didn't work. You need to try to stay warm. The easiest way to stay warm is heat your body core - drink warm fluids, wear gloves/scarf/hat. I take diltiazem (cardizem) which eases my Raynauds symptoms - it is always a higher dose in the winter time. I hope this helps.

View Full Thread (2 more posts)
Cold Fingers Created by Tessa
Last updated 16 Apr 2014, 04:50 AM

Posted by brandy
16 Apr 2014, 04:50 AM

I have redness around the nails. As I understand it, the redness is caused by unusually shaped blood vessels which have shown a correlation to pulmonary hypertension.

Posted by Tessa
26 Feb 2014, 09:22 PM

Does anyone have just one finger that seems to get cold first and last longer than the others. Are you noticing redness around the nails? Just curious.

Livedo Reticularis Created by tash
Last updated 13 Mar 2014, 06:36 AM

Posted by tash
13 Mar 2014, 06:36 AM

I have Raynauds & Livedo Reticularis and was diagnosed with Sneddons after 3 strokes from the age of 33.

Iloprost infusions Created by Kat201
Last updated 2 Nov 2010, 12:05 AM

Posted by Kat201
2 Nov 2010, 12:05 AM

After having ulcerated fingertips last year my consultant has recommended iloprost infusions this winter. Has anybody had any success with this?

Community Resources
Title Description Date Link

Clinical Trials


Cords registry

CoRDS, or the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, is based at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides researchers with a centralized, international patient registry for all rare diseases. This program allows patients and researchers to connect as easily as possible to help advance treatments and cures for rare diseases. The CoRDS team works with patient advocacy groups, individuals and researchers to help in the advancement of research in over 7,000 rare diseases. The registry is free for patients to enroll and researchers to access.

Enrolling is easy.

  1. Complete the screening form.
  2. Review the informed consent.
  3. Answer the permission and data sharing questions.

After these steps, the enrollment process is complete. All other questions are voluntary. However, these questions are important to patients and their families to create awareness as well as to researchers to study rare diseases. This is why we ask our participants to update their information annually or anytime changes to their information occur.

Researchers can contact CoRDS to determine if the registry contains participants with the rare disease they are researching. If the researcher determines there is a sufficient number of participants or data on the rare disease of interest within the registry, the researcher can apply for access. Upon approval from the CoRDS Scientific Advisory Board, CoRDS staff will reach out to participants on behalf of the researcher. It is then up to the participant to determine if they would like to join the study.

Visit sanfordresearch.org/CoRDS to enroll.

Community Leaders

 

Expert Questions

Ask a question

Community User List

I have been recently dx with MCTD & Raynaud's Phenomina
Bird shot patient since 2005 but diagnosed in 2015 been on cyclosporine since 2008 since diagnosis they added cellcept 2000mg daily 50 mg prednisone and an orzudex implant for the first time in...
I am the mother of a 26 yr old daughter. She has many symptoms but we only know the names of 2 of them.... Raynaud's Disease and Vasculitis. Also, she seems to be allergic to gluten so she stopped...
I became disabled from working as a Registered Nurse in 2005. In a few years, I developed over 9 diagnosis of various forms, and then Morgellon symptoms began. Through Rense.com and just web...
I have had 3 strokes since the age of 33 & diagnosed with sneddons after numerous procedures which are still continuing. Scans have shown a rare abnormality in the brain vessels which I have been...
I was diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago. I didn't have insurance, so I could not do the full range of blood test.

 

 

Because of ACA (Obamacare) I now have insurance.

 

 

The...
Hi all! I've got a pile of autoimmune linked diseases, but nothing officially autoimmune…

 

Interstitial cystitis, Vulvar pain/vulvodynia, Raynaud's…

 

I suspect aquagenic pruritus as well...
Suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
I am the mother of 3 and I have been diagnosed with sjogrens. My youngest was born with CDH and Klinefetlers syndrome and my oldest has Aspergers, ODD and ADHD. I live in Kentucky with my husband...
I live with my husband and 3 children 14,11 and 3 years old. My nightmare started in 2007 when I had a miscarriage at 21weeks at the time there seemed to be no explanation for my loss.

 

...

I have a lot of health problems but manage with the power of the Lord to keep myself out of the pity pot (most days) and to maintain a sense of humor.

 

I'm happily married, have one son, two...
I have Antisynthetase Syndrome, with anti-Jo1. They say I have either Dermatomyositis or Polymyositis,, they're not sure which one. I was diagnosed in December 2009..
I have a 8 year old daughter who has 4q deletion syndrome 27-31.1.
I've had Raynaud's since I was 15.
I am retired to France, living in the Dordogne. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1991. In 2007 I was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and was there for 2 weeks and had extensive tests. They...

Start a Community


Don't See Your Condition On Rareshare?

Start your own! With a worldwide network of 8,000 users, you won't be the only member of your community for long.

FAQ


Have questions about rareshare?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Discussion Forum

Massage therapy/ Chiropractor??

Created by Larry | Last updated 9 Oct 2014, 11:12 PM

Cold Fingers

Created by Tessa | Last updated 16 Apr 2014, 04:50 AM

Livedo Reticularis

Created by tash | Last updated 13 Mar 2014, 06:36 AM

Iloprost infusions

Created by Kat201 | Last updated 2 Nov 2010, 12:05 AM


Communities

Our Communities

Join Rareshare to meet other people that have been touched by rare diseases. Learn, engage, and grow with our communities.

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY
Physicians

Our Resources

Our rare disease resources include e-books and podcasts

VIEW OUR EBOOKS

LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS

VIEW OUR GUIDES

Leaders

Our Community Leaders

Community leaders are active users that have been touched by the rare disease that they are a part of. Not only are they there to help facilitate conversations and provide new information that is relevant for the group, but they are there for you and to let you know you have a support system on Rareshare.