What To Know About Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud's disease, sometimes called Raynaud's syndrome or Raynaud's phenomenon, affects the small blood vessels (arteries) in the arms and legs. A trigger, such as cold temperatures and stress, narrows the blood vessels and restricts blood flow to the hands and feet. Your extremities become white and numb as a result.

Little is known about what causes Raynaud's disease. Some people develop this vascular issue as a result of another health condition, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment typically involves preventing attacks by avoiding triggers.

About 7.5% of adults in the United States have Raynaud's disease. Read on to learn about Raynaud's disease, including types, causes, how to prevent attacks, and more.

Types

Raynaud's disease is a vascular disorder that occurs when the small arteries that supply blood to the extremities narrow. There are two types of Raynaud's disease: primary and secondary.

Primary Raynaud's Disease

Primary Raynaud's disease occurs without a known cause. Most people with Raynaud's disease have this type.

Secondary Raynaud's Disease

People with secondary Raynaud's disease develop symptoms as a result of another health condition like lupus, which is an autoimmune disorder. Certain medications, cold weather, injuries, and other factors might trigger symptoms. This type is more severe, though less common, than primary Raynaud's disease and may damage the blood vessels in your arms and legs.

Raynaud's Disease Symptoms

Raynaud's disease symptoms usually occur if something triggers a flare, or an "attack." One of the most common triggers is cold temperatures, such as being outside in cold weather or holding a glass of iced water. Other triggers include stress, smoking, and vaping.

A Raynaud's disease attack usually includes:

• A lack of blood flow causes the affected body part, typically the fingers and toes, to become pale or white.
• The body part will then turn blue and feel cold and numb.
• The affected area becomes red, swollen, and tingly as blood flow returns. You might notice burning and throbbing feelings.

An attack usually lasts a few minutes to hours. Severe attacks might last days, although it's rare. People with severe Raynaud's disease might develop painful sores or tissue death.

Causes

Raynaud's disease remains poorly understood, although French physician Maurice Raynaud was one of the first to describe it in 1862. This vascular disorder narrows the small arteries to the extremities, blocking blood flow to those areas in response to specific triggers. It's still not exactly clear why this happens.

The blood vessels usually tighten and widen in response to triggers like cold temperatures and stress. This response helps conserve heat and keep the body warm. Some people have exaggerated responses to these triggers, resulting in Raynaud's disease.

Risk Factors

Some factors might increase your risk of Raynaud's disease, such as:

• Age: People younger than 30, typically adolescents, are likelier to develop primary Raynaud's disease.
• Family history: The primary type might have a genetic link. You are likelier to develop Raynaud's disease if someone in your family has it. 
• Health conditions: Secondary Raynaud's disease is often the result of another health condition, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease.
• Certain medications: Certain medications—such as ones that treat high blood pressure and migraines—might cause the secondary type.
• Work environment: You are likelier to develop secondary Raynaud's disease if you frequently work with chemicals or machines that vibrate (e.g., a jackhammer). People who work in cold environments are also at risk.

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will likely diagnose Raynaud's disease based on your symptoms, such as whether you have attacks in response to cold temperatures. They'll ask about your health history and examine you.

There are no diagnostic tests that confirm Raynaud's disease. A healthcare provider may still order some tests that help with diagnosis. A nail fold capillary microscopy, for example, looks for changes in the blood vessels. A healthcare provider will use a magnifying tool to look closely at the blood vessels in your fingernails.

They might also take blood tests, such as an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. These tests might detect an underlying health condition that causes secondary Raynaud's disease.

Raynaud's Disease Treatment

Treatment largely lies in prevention. Other treatment goals include reducing the severity of symptoms and protecting against tissue damage. You'll likely work with a rheumatologist, or a healthcare provider who specializes in bone, joint, and muscle diseases.

Treatments include:

• Avoidance of triggers, such as cold temperatures and stress
• Medications
• Surgery (i.e., sympathectomy, which destroys the nerves that narrow your blood vessels)

Certain intensive treatment options exist for severe cases. You might require a hospital stay and intravenous (IV) medications, for example, to restore blood flow and treat infection if you develop sores. Surgery can remove damaged tissues.

Prevention

You might prevent Raynaud's disease attacks by avoiding triggers and swiftly taking action if you notice symptoms. Talk to a rheumatologist about other ways, such as medications and surgery, you can protect against attacks.

Ways to prevent Raynaud's disease include:

• Avoid certain medications: These may include beta blockers, decongestants, and stimulants. Consult a healthcare provider about ways you might change your treatment if you take these medications. 
• Do not smoke: Nicotine may trigger attacks. Quitting smoking is often difficult. Talk to a healthcare provider about ways you can stop.
• Reduce stress: This is another common trigger. Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, if you have a lot of stress. You might talk to a mental healthcare provider if your stress is long-lasting. 
• Stay warm: Avoid cold weather as much as possible. Dress in gloves, a hat, and several layers, and use hand warmers if it's cold outside. Wear a jacket or sweater indoors if it's chilly. You might wear gloves if you must handle cold items.

It's essential to act quickly if you notice the start of an attack. Warm the affected body part by placing a heating pad on it or running it under hot water.

Related Conditions

People with Raynaud's disease may be more likely to have or develop the following conditions:

• Atherosclerosis: This condition is a common cause of secondary Raynaud's disease Atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque build-up in the arteries, which causes them to narrow.
• Autoimmune disorders: These conditions are characterized by an overactive immune response, in which the body attacks healthy tissues. Examples include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjögren's syndrome. Autoimmune disorders are often causes of secondary Raynaud's disease, but the exact causes are not understood.
• Buerger disease: People with Buerger disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans, have inflamed blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow, which can worsen Raynaud's disease, and vice versa.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: This disorder causes numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands or wrists. Some evidence suggests that inflammation and tissue damage caused by Raynaud's disease can increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Living With Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud's disease often causes painful symptoms. Taking steps to reduce attacks helps improve your quality of life. Remember to follow the advice of a rheumatologist or other healthcare provider to protect against tissue damage.

Culture has a strange way of equating cold tolerance with mental and emotional fortitude. Raynaud's disease is a real health condition that doesn't deserve to be disparaged. Keep layering up, wearing gloves when you need to, and educating your friends and family about Raynaud's disease.