Transcript Raynaud`s Phenomenon - Embryo

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Raynaud’s Phenomenon
By: Alison Cunliffe
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What is Raynaud’s Disease
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Condition resulting in a series of discolorations of the fingers
and/or toes after exposure to changes in temperature (hot or
cold) or emotional events.

Skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the
blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply to the local
tissues.

First the digits turn white because of the diminished blood
supply
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Second they turn blue because of the lack of oxygen
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Last the blood vessels reopen causing the blood to flush back in
which causes digits to turn red.
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Causes

Cause is unknown.
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Both abnormal nerve control of blood vessels and nerve
sensitivity to cold exposure have been suspected as being
contributing factors.
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Symptoms
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All vary on the severity, frequency, and duration of the spasm
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Most include:

Skin discoloration

Mild tingling and numbness (disappears when color returns)

When spasms become more sustained sensory nerves
become irritated by the lack of oxygen and can cause pain.

Rarely symptoms from poor oxygen supply to the tissue can
cause tips of digits to ulcerate.
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Tests
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Sometimes there are certain patterns in the tiny blood
vessels adjacent to the fingernails in patients with RP that can
be seen with a magnifying viewing instrument.

There is no blood test to help doctor to determine if you have
RP

Doctors can also perform certain maneuvers with the
patient’s extremities to exclude pinched blood vessels that
can produce symptoms that mimic RP such as in thoracic
outlet syndrome.
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Treatment
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No prevention
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Things you can do to help RP
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Protect fingers and toes from cold, trauma, and infection

Medication that can aggravate blood vessel spasm should be
avoided by patients with RP
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Persistent symptoms- medications that dilate the blood vessels
can be administered
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Keep body warm!
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Prognosis
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With a relatively small chance (1%) of serious complications,
approximately half of all affected individuals do well by
taking simple precautions, and never require medication.
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