provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon definition - medical term
A condition resulting in
discoloration of fingers and/or toes when a person is exposed to
changes in temperature (cold or hot) or emotional events.
The skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of
the blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply. Initially, the
digits involved turn white because of diminished blood supply, then
turn blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen and finally, the blood
vessels reopen, causing a local "flushing"
phenomenon, which turns the digits red. This three-phase color
sequence (white to blue to red), most often upon exposure to cold
temperature, is characteristic of Raynaud's
phenomenon.
Raynaud's phenomenon occurs with a number of conditions including
rheumatic diseases (scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus), hormone imbalance (hypothyroidism and
carcinoid), trauma (frostbite, vibrating tools), medications
(propranolol/INDERAL, estrogens, nicotine, bleomycin) and,
uncommonly, cancer.
The phenomenon is named for the French physician Maurice
Raynaud (1834-1881).
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