Guide to Raynaud's Phenomenon

The fingers or toes may also feel cold and numb. Finally, as the arterioles dilate and blood returns to the digits, redness may occur. As the attack ends, throbbing and tingling may occur in the fingers and toes. An attack can last from less than a minute to several hours.

How Is Raynaud's Phenomenon Classified?

Doctors classify Raynaud's phenomenon as either the primary or the secondary form. In medical literature, "primary Raynaud's phenomenon" may also be called:

• Raynaud's disease
• idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon
• primary Raynaud's syndrome

The terms idiopathic and primary both mean that the cause is unknown.

Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon

Most people who have Raynaud's phenomenon have the primary form (the milder version). A person who has primary Raynaud's phenomenon has no underlying disease or associated medical problems. More women than men are affected, and approximately 75% of all cases are diagnosed in women who are between 15 and 40 years old.

Research shows that less than 10% of people who have only vasospastic attacks for several years, without involvement of other body systems or organs, rarely have or will develop a secondary disease later.

Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon

Although secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is less common than the primary form, it is often a more complex and serious disorder. Secondary means that patients have an underlying disease or condition that causes Raynaud's phenomenon. Connective tissue diseases are the most common cause of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Some of these diseases reduce blood flow to the digits by causing blood vessel walls to thicken and the vessels to constrict too easily. Raynaud's phenomenon is seen in patients with:

• scleroderma (around 85%)
• mixed connective tissue disease (around 85%)
• lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)(around 33%)

Raynaud's phenomenon also can occur in patients who have other connective tissue diseases, including:

• Sjögren's syndrome
• dermatomyositis
• polymyositis

Possible causes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, other than connective tissue diseases, are:

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• obstructive arterial disease
• some drugs (such as beta-blockers, ergotamine preparations, certain chemotherapy agents)
• drugs that cause vasoconstriction (such as some over-the-counter cold medications and narcotics)
• people in certain occupations (such as workers exposed to vinyl chloride or workers who operate vibrating tools)

People with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon often experience associated medical problems. The more serious problems are skin ulcers or gangrene in the fingers or toes. Painful ulcers and gangrene are fairly common and can be difficult to treat. Weakness in the muscle of the esophagus may cause heartburn or difficulty in swallowing.

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