Raynaud's syndrome and Raynaud's disease are not the same. Both conditions are related to Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes your fingers or toes to turn pale when you feel cold or emotional. Besides, Raynaud's syndrome and disease have different causes, and their treatment is different. In addition, Raynaud's syndrome is much more dangerous than Raynaud's disease, as it can even lead to necrosis of the fingers.
Raynaud's Syndrome and Disease are not the same. Both conditions are related to Raynaud's phenomenon-vasomotor disorder, which is when under the influence of cold or emotions, excessive contraction of blood vessels and, consequently, paroxysmal paling of the fingers or toes, less often the nose and the ears.
Syndrome or Raynaud's disease? Causes of Raynaud's phenomenon
If Raynaud's phenomenon occurs for no reason (ie, it is a disease in itself), it is called Raynaud's disease. In medical terminology, this is the primary Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's disease typically affects people between the ages of 15 and 45.
IfRaynaud'sappears in the course of a particular illness, it isRaynaud's syndrome.Raynaud's syndrome usually appears in the 3rd or 4th decade of life and can accompany diseases that lead to a reduction in blood flow through the arteries of the fingers (Raynaud's syndrome). The most common are atherosclerosis and connective tissue diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease). Other diseases in which Raynaud's phenomenon may appear include carpal tunnel syndrome, diseases with increased blood viscosity (including cryoglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, thrombocytopenia), Lyme disease, primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension, and even cancer.
Pianists, typists, jackhammer operators and cold store workers are also at risk of developing Raynaud's phenomenon. The paroxysmal paling of the fingers may also melt after taking certain medications and chemicals, including oral contraceptives, ergot preparations, immunosuppressants (cyclosporin A, methotrexate), cocaine.
Syndrome or Raynaud's disease? How to recognize the symptoms?
Both the disease and Raynaud's syndrome have several phases:
Raynaud's phenomenon is symmetrical and affects both hands or feet
- under the influence of cold or emotions, the skin of the fingers or toes fades rapidly, which usually lasts for a few minutes. It is accompanied by a tingling sensation
- then fingers turn purple and go numb
- they turn red and painful in the last stage
Some patients with Raynaud's syndrome also develop ulceration or even necrosis of the fingertips.
Syndrome or Raynaud's disease? Diagnosis
A patient who experiences paroxysmal paling of fingers and toes under the influence of cold or emotions is subjected to a provocation test. The patient's hands or feet are kept for a few minutes in cold water (4 degrees Celsius) or under a stream of cold water. The doctor will also order blood tests to find out if any underlying conditions (or Raynaud's syndrome) are causing Raynaud's phenomenon. Positive test results and the finding of symptoms of diseases in which Raynaud's phenomenon is present indicate that it is Raynaud's syndrome.
The doctor should also rule out other diseases that give similar symptoms, such as acrocyanosis (there is constant blue in the fingers) and erythromegaly (there is paroxysmal redness and warming of the fingers accompanied by severe, burning pain).
Syndrome or Raynaud's disease? Treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon
Most people with Raynaud's disease do not require treatment. The therapy is used in people with Raynaud's syndrome (when paroxysmal paling of the fingers is one of the symptoms of the disease). It is by treating the underlying disease and relieving the symptoms of vasospasm. Medicines are given to people who have frequent Raynaud's symptoms and those whose Raynaud's symptoms are long-term and severe. Treatment is necessary in patients with digital ulceration of the fingertips. If unsuccessful, consider having a sympathectomy (it destroys the nerves in the sympathetic nervous system to increase blood flow), especially in patients with finger necrosis.
Puszczewicz M.,Raynaud's phenomenon - an interdisciplinary problem , "Family Medicine Forum" 2008, vol. 2, no. 2