Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's Phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears and nose. This disorder is characterized by episodic spasms, called vasospastic attacks, which cause the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict (tighten or close) and change color.
Who is affected by Raynaud's?
Although estimates vary, recent surveys show that Raynaud's Phenomenon may affect 3 to 5 percent of the general population in the United States.
In people with Raynaud's, blood flow is more strongly reduced in response to cold temperatures than in people without the disorder. When Raynaud's is severe (which is uncommon), exposure to cold for as little as 20 minutes can cause major tissue damage.
What causes Raynaud's?
An attack of Raynaud's is usually triggered by exposure to cold or emotional stress.
Under normal circumstances, when a person is exposed to cold, his or her body's response is to slow the loss of heat. The body does this by causing the blood vessels that control blood flow to the skin's surface to move blood from the surface arteries to veins deeper in the body.
