Raynaud's disease: symptoms, causes, treatment
Raynaud's disease is a disease of unknown etiology, the main manifestation of which is a spasm of blood vessels in the hands and feet in response to cold or emotional stress. Patients experience discomfort and discoloration of the skin on one or more fingers. Sometimes similar symptoms appear from other organs (nose, auricle). There is a primary (idiopathic) form of the disease (Raynaud's disease) and secondary (Raynaud's syndrome), which is the initial manifestation of connective tissue pathologies (systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma) or hemolytic disorders. You will learn about how to treat Raynaud's disease from our article.
Raynaud's disease: symptoms in women and men
In conditions of low temperature, patients diagnosed with Raynaud's disease develop a sharp reflex spasm of blood vessels. The mechanism of disease development is unknown. Changes in the vessels themselves are probably the basis of the pathology. The disease is more often observed in young women. The diagnosis is made after a physical examination. Additional diagnostic methods are necessary to differentiate primary and secondary forms of the disease.
Symptoms of Raynaud's disease in women and men are as follows:
- freezing;
- pain;
- paresthesia;
- change in skin color.
The zone of color change is usually clearly limited - it does not spread from the fingers to the brush. Under the influence of cold, spasm of arteries occurs - fingers turn pale. As a result of capillary expansion, venous stasis occurs - cyanosis is observed. Vasospasm lasts 15-20 minutes and ends with the restoration of blood flow, which is evidenced by reactive hyperemia - a bright pink color of the skin. Discoloration is typical, but in some cases hyperemia is not observed.
Symptoms of Raynaud's disease appear on the rise. At first, the changes affect individual fingers, then spread to other fingers. In the future, the auricles, the tip of the nose, and the toes may be involved in the pathological process. Migraines are often noted in patients - read more about its symptoms on our website https://dobrobut.com. In 30% of patients, the disease progresses to necrosis of the nail phalanges.
Raynaud's disease: treatment
Medical treatment of angiotrophoneurosis is limited to taking calcium channel blockers. Initially, nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine, or isradipine are prescribed, followed by the alpha-blocker prazosin.
The treatment of Raynaud's disease also consists in changing the lifestyle. It is important to avoid cooling, to give up smoking, and to learn to relax. Raynaud's syndrome therapy should be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Analgesics, antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid in small doses are indicated.
In most cases, the prognosis is favorable.