Question 1

what can cause raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Cold and stress: We do not completely understand the cause of raynaud's, but exposure to cold and emotional stress cause spasm in the blood vessels of the hands and feet. This causes a reduction in blood flow. The lack of oxygen in the area cause the color to change to white, with continued lack of oxygen they turn blue and then red as the spasm resolves and blood flow returns.

Question 2

what diseases cause raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Many disorders can: Many disorders can cause raynaud's phenomenon. Examples include: scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren's syndrome, atherosclerosis, subclavian aneurysm, beta-blocker drugs, ergotamine-type drugs, hypothyroidism, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, magnesium deficiency, etc...

Question 3

any summertime symptoms of raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Raynaud's can occur at anytime of year but is less common in warmer weather. Smoking and excessive caffeine can worsen the symptoms. Also, minimize the handling of ice cold beverages. Keep air conditioning settings at comfortable, not cold. Be aware that restaurants and more expensive stores keep the temperature settings low.

Question 4

what percentage of people suffers from raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

About 5% in the U.S.: An estimated 5% of people in the United States have symptoms of raynaud's phenomenon. People with raynaud's symptoms can have  vasospasm in the blood vessels supplying their fingers and/or toes, triggered by exposure to cold, vibrations, emotional stress, etc...

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

COLD FINGERS/TOES: The small blood vessels in our fingers and toes normally clamp down a bit when we are exposed to cold to keep our body core warm. People with raynauds have an exagerated response to the cold. The blood vessels clamp down too much and relax too slowly. This results in pain + color changes; classically blue, white, then red. Most raynauds: not associated with an autoimmune disease, but sometimes is.

Question 6

how to figure out if i could have raynaud's disease/phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

See details: You have significant cyanosis or blanching of your fingers and/or toes accentuated by cold exposure and a formal workup revealed no other causes for the symptoms.

Question 7

why does smoking usually cause raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Nicotine constricts: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, so smoking can worsen raynaud's symptoms. Caffeine can also worsen raynaud's symptoms.

Question 8

can i still work with lupus and raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

If symptoms are mild: Lupus patients with their disease in remission or well controlled can work, but lupus patients with active disease will be having many symptoms that make it too difficult to work. Lupus patients with raynaud's phenomenon would not be able to work in jobs with cold temperatures (such as ice cream sales) or vibrations (such as hammer-drilling) if those activities trigger vasospasm.

Question 9

why would celiacs disease cause raynaud's phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Auto-immune: The direct evidence for causal relationship between celiac disease and Raynaud is lacking or we don't know. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. Secondary Raynauds is also an autoimmune condition.  A person with Raynaud’s is thus more likely to have celiac disease than that in the general population by a poorly defined immune mechanism.

Question 10

is raynauds phenomenon a serious concern for most people?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Raynaud's is due to constriction of blood vessels in response to cold or stress. Although, red, blue and white colors of the fingers or toes can be due to this construction it can be found in a variety of settings. It can run in families, be related to serious systemic connective tissue diseases, or be related to certain medications as  as smoking. It can be serious and you need and evaluation.

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Why does smoking usually cause raynaud's phenomenon?

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