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Reynaud's Disease - Symptoms & Treatment

One of several primary arteriospastic disorders, Reynaud's disease is characterized by episodic vasospasm in the small peripheral arteries & arterioles, precipitated by exposure to cold or stress. This condition occurs bilaterally & usually affects the hands or, less often, the feet. It is characterized by repeated episodes of color changes of the skin of digits on cold exposure or emotional stress .

Reynaud's disease is most prevalent in women, particularly between puberty & age 40. A benign condition, it requires no specific treatment & has no serious sequelae.

Reynaud's phenomenon, however, a condition often associated with several connective tissue disorders - such as scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, & polymyositis-has a progressive course, leading to ischemia, gangrene, & amputation. Differentiating the two disorders is difficult because some patients who experience mild symptoms of Reynaud's disease for several years may later develop overt connective tissue disease-most commonly scleroderma.

reason of Reynaud's Disease

Although the cause is unknown, sever­al theories account for the reduced digital blood flow: intrinsic vascular wall hyperactivity to cold, increased vasomotor tone resulting from sympathetic stimulation, & antigen antibody immune response (the most probable theory, because abnormal immunologic test results accompany Reynaud's phenomenon.

Signs & symptoms of Reynaud's Disease

After exposure to cold or stress, the skin on the fingers typically blanches, then becomes cyanotic before changing to red & before changing from cold to normal temperature. Numbness & tingling may also occur. These symptoms are relieved by warmth.

In longstanding disease, trophic changes such as sclerodactyly, ulcerations, or chronic paronychia may result. Although it's extremely uncommon, minimal cutaneous gangrene necessitates amputation of one or more phalanges.

Diagnosis of Reynaud's Disease

Clinical criteria that establish Reynaud's disease include skin color changes induced by cold or stress; bilateral involvement; absence of gangrene or, if present, minimal cutaneous gangrene; normal arterial pulses; & a patient history of clinical symptoms of longer than 2 years' duration. The diagnosis must also rule out secondary disease processes, such as chronic arterial occlusive or connective tissue disease.

Treatment of Reynaud's Disease

Initially, treatment consists of avoidance of cold, mechanical, or chemical injury; cessation of smoking; & reassurance that symptoms are benign.

Because adverse drug effects, especially from vasodilators, may be more bothersome than the disease itself, drug therapy is reserved for unusually severe symptoms. Such therapy may include phenoxybenzamine or reserpine.

CLINICAL TIP Low doses (30 mg) of sustained-release nifedipine may be given.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis for most people with Reynaud's disease is very good. In general, primary Reynaud's disease has the best prognosis, with a relatively small chance (1%) of serious complications. Approximately half of all affected individuals do well by taking simple precautions, & never require medication. The prognosis for people with secondary Reynaud's disease (or phenomenon) is less predictable. This prognosis depends greatly on the severity of other associated conditions such as scleroderma, lupus, or Sjögren syndrome.

prohibition

There is no way to prevent the development of Reynaud's disease. Once an individual realizes that he or she suffers from this disorder, however, steps can be taken to reduce the frequency & severity of episodes.

• Patients with Reynaud's disease are suggested to keep warm by wearing gloves & socks. They should also avoid touching cold objects, stress, medicines that can constrict blood vessels such as decongestants.
• Advise the patient to avoid stressful situations & to stop smoking.
Teach the patient about drugs, their use, & their adverse effects.