Raynaud’s phenomenon/syndrome, which affects as many as 5% of Americans, 80% of which are women, causes the narrowing of the blood vessels located in extremities, which results in a reduction of blood flow to these parts. These affected parts may thus turn pale or white and may feel numb and cold as the tissue in that region is deprived of oxygen. As oxygen is later returned to these parts as the body warms up, they may experience pain and throbbing.
There are two main forms of the syndrome: primary and secondary. The primary type’s cause is unknown while the secondary type can be attributed to another health problem—specifically autoimmune diseases. The primary form has been linked to sex, age, and genetics. The first type of Raynaud’s syndrome usually affects people less than 30 years of age and often first occurs in the adolescent years, especially women. Additionally, a genetic component is thought to be linked with the phenomenon; if a family member had the disease, the patient has a higher risk of developing the disease. Contrastingly, the secondary form can be attributed to disease, medications, or exposure to certain things. The second type of Raynaud’s syndrome may be caused by other diseases like scleroderma, inflammatory myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, certain medications that are used to treat migraines, high blood pressure, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may worsen or lead to the phenomenon. Continued exposure to vibrations, chemicals, or cold may also be harmful.
Though scientists aren’t exactly sure why this phenomenon occurs, they do know why each episode may occur. In a normally functioning human body, the blood vessels located at the surface of the skin constrict to move blood deeper into the body when faced with cold temperatures. However, in people with Raynaud’s phenomenon, the blood vessels remain constricted for far too long, which causes the skin to become pale.
Raynaud’s syndrome isn’t entirely curable but its symptoms are treatable. Dermatologists aim to reduce the severity of the episodes, reduce the number of episodes, and prevent intense tissue damage. Even though there are currently no FDA-approved drugs for this syndrome, dermatologists may prescribe drugs that can treat the symptoms. For more intense cases, surgery may be recommended. In these manners, the disease is definitely treatable.
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