What is Raynaud’s disease and how to treat it

  Raynaud’s disease, also known as Raynaud’s syndrome, is a state of paroxysmal constriction of the arteries and small arteries of the limbs, often occurring in the cold or during stress, manifested by symmetrical pallor, cyanosis and flushing of the skin of the limbs, especially the fingers (toes), with intermittent changes and without any evidence of associated disease. It is usually most common in the upper extremities and may occasionally involve the lower extremities.  Some patients also have these symptoms, but they are only local manifestations of some systemic diseases such as arteriosclerosis, polymyositis, vaso-occlusive vasculitis, and scleroderma. The latter disease symptom is clinically referred to as Raynaud’s phenomenon. Those without any evidence of associated disease are referred to as Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon together are called “Raynaud’s syndrome”.  The cause of Raynaud’s disease is unknown so far, it is generally believed that the following factors are related, first of all, cold stimulation, the patient is more sensitive to cold stimulation, its incidence is higher in the north, especially in the northeast; the second is neuroexcitation, the patient belongs to sympathetic excitation type, may be related to the central nervous system disorder, sympathetic hyperfunction; third is endocrine disorders, the disease patients account for about 70% to 90% of women, clinical Symptoms are aggravated during menstruation and reduced during pregnancy, presumably related to gonadal function, as well as occupational factors such as long-term operation of vibrating machinery, long-term work in alternating hot and cold.  Patients with milder symptoms of Raynaud’s disease should avoid cold stimulation, pay attention to warmth, maintain hand temperature, and should prevent emotional excitement and hand trauma; severe cases can be treated with drugs and surgery.