What is Raynaud’s Phenomenon?

Raynaud’s phenomenon is primarily a vasospastic syndrome, meaning that the vascularature is prone to spasm, causing vasoconstriction with increased blood pressure to a small region and potential ischaemia distally if the area that vasospasms consists only of small blood vessels.

The most common area of vasospasm seen in Raynaud’s phenomenon are the persons fingers and toes, although other areas have been reported, these are much rarer cases.

What Causes Raynaud’s Phenomenon?

Raynaud’s Phenomenon is caused by a vasospastic response, often to a persons peripheries. What triggers this response? Raynaud’s Phenomenon is usually triggered by cold temperatures, and emotional stress.

Raynauds Phenomenon is broken down into two types of disease:

Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which is idiopathic (meaning that there are no known causes) and usually occurs suddenly, and

Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon,, which is a chronic disorder, triggered by emotional responses or cold extremities.