Raynaud's disease: One of several primary
arteriospastic diseases characterized by episodic vasospasm in the small
peripheral arteries and arterioles. Raynaud's disease occurs bilaterally
and usually affects the hands or, less often, the feet. When the
patient is expose to stress and cold, the patient experiences skin color
changes. The patient may develop minimal cutaneous ( Pertaining to
the skin ) gangrene ( death of tissue ) or no gangrene at all.
Arterial pulses are normal.
The cause of Raynaud's disease remains unknown, several theories account
for reduces digital blood flow. probably, it results from an antigen
- antibody immune response, since most patients with Raynaud's phenomenon
have abnormal immunologic test results. Other explanation for reduced
digital blood flow include intrinsic vascular wall hyperactivity caused
by cold and increased vasomotor tone from sympathetic stimulation.
Raynaud's phenomenon, however, a condition often associated with several
connective tissue disorder, such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus
erythematosus, or polymyositis - has a progressive course, leading to ischemia,
gangrene, and amputation. Distinction between the two disorders is
difficult; some patients who experience mild symptoms of Raynaud's disease
for several years may later develop overt connective tissue disease, especially
systemic sclerosis.
Symptoms:
After exposure to cold or stress, the skin on the patient's fingers
typically blanches, then becomes cyanotic (bluish discoloration ) before
changing to red and before changing from cold to normal temperature.
Numbness
Tingling
Treatment:
Initially, the patient must avoid cold; safeguard against mechanical
or chemical injury, and quit smoking.
* Doctor will reserve drug therapy for patients with unusually
severe symptoms, adverse reactions, especially from vasodilator, may prove
more bothersome than the disease itself.