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Raynaud's disease is a condition in which there are spasms, constriction, and narrowing of the capillaries of the fingers and toes. Capillaries are the smallest arteries that supply vital oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues.
A steady supply of oxygen and nutrients are critical to the health of the cells and tissues of the fingers and toes. Narrowing of the blood vessels that occurs in Raynaud's disease interferes with this supply. This is called ischemia. In ischemia, cells are unable to reproduce normally, recover effectively from injury, and fight infection. This leads to the symptoms and complications of Raynaud's disease. These include color changes, cold fingers and toes, and the development of sores or lesions that do not heal. If Raynaud's disease is left untreated, gangrene (tissue death) can occur. Less commonly, Raynaud's disease can also cause symptoms and complications in the nose, lips, and earlobes. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of Raynaud's disease.
The cause of Raynaud's disease, also known as primary Raynaud's, is unknown. If there is a known underlying cause of symptoms, it is called Raynaud's phenomenon. Common underlying causes of Raynaud's phenomenon include frostbite, using vibrating equipment, such as chain saws, and certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus. Raynaud's disease occurs most in women between 15 and 40 years of age.
Making a diagnosis of Raynaud's disease includes completing a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and a physical examination. A diagnosis of Raynaud's disease can often be made based on symptoms and an exam. A battery of other tests may also be performed if it is suspected that another disease or disorder is causing symptoms, as occurs in Raynaud's phenomenon.
It is possible that a diagnosis of Raynaud's disease can be missed or delayed because the symptoms may be mild, assumed to be normal, and similar to symptoms of other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of Raynaud's disease.
If caught early, Raynaud's disease can often be successfully treated before the development of complications. Treatment varies depending on the specific type of Raynaud's disease. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of Raynaud's disease....more »
Raynaud's disease may go undiagnosed because the symptoms may be attributed to simply having cold hands and feet. In addition, symptoms of Raynaud's disease are similar to symptoms of other conditions and diseases, such as aging, Buerger's disease, perimenopause, and hypothyroidism. ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Raynaud's disease.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 32 causes of Raynaud's disease
» Review Causes of Raynaud's disease: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Raynaud's disease, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Raynaud's disease
The most effective treatment plan for Raynaud's disease employs a multifaceted approach aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms and preventing tissue damage in the fingers and toes.
This includes seeking regular medical care to monitor for and treat any conditions and diseases that can further restrict blood flow through the capillaries of the fingers and toes. ...Raynaud's disease Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Raynaud's disease may include:
Review further information on Raynaud's disease Treatments.
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Raynaud's disease may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Raynaud's disease
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of related medical symptoms such as:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Raynaud's disease:
Read more about causes and Raynaud's disease deaths.
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A disorder of the small blood vessels of the extremities, causing coldness and reduced blood flow. In ... (Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS)
Raynaud's phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This... (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers about Raynaud's Phenomenon: NIAMS)
Raynaud's Phenomenon is a Disorder of the small blood vessels that feed the skin. During an attack of... (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, Raynaud's Phenomenon: NHLBI)
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This... (Source: excerpt from Raynauds Phenomenon: NWHIC)
An idiopathic vascular disorder characterized by bilateral Raynaud phenomenon, the abrupt onset of digital paleness or CYANOSIS in response to cold exposure or STRESS.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Intermittent attacks of ischemia in the fingers, toes, ears, or nose, accompanied by pain, pallor, and prickling; phenomenon applies to secondary symptoms, disease when cause is unknown.
- (Source - CRISP)
The list below shows some of the causes of Raynaud's disease mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 32 causes of Raynaud's disease
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Raynaud's disease. Of the 32 causes of Raynaud's disease that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 32 causes of Raynaud's disease
The following list of conditions have 'Raynaud's disease' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Raynaud's disease or choose View All.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Raynaud's disease based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Medical Conditions associated with Raynaud's disease:
Finger symptoms (1615 causes), Toe symptoms (1171 causes), Hand symptoms (2016 causes), Foot symptoms (2265 causes), Limb symptoms (3592 causes), Skin symptoms (5992 causes), Skin color symptoms (2348 causes), Circulatory system symptoms (1579 causes), Skin problems (3422 causes), Lower leg symptoms (59 causes), Leg symptoms (2751 causes), Arm symptoms (1619 causes), Blood vessel symptoms (480 causes)
Symptoms related to Raynaud's disease:
Myxedema, Injury, Obstructive arterial disease, Arteriosclerosis (13 causes), Connective tissue diseases, Certain drugs, Surgery, Nerve problems, Artery diseases, Certain blood vessel conditions
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
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Medical research papers related to Raynaud's disease include:
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