Rayuand Disease

Raynaud 's Disease

Name

College

Date : October 1st 2008

Raynaud 's Disease

Introduction to the

Raynaud 's disease is a condition in which some areas of the body such as the fingertips , toes , tip of the nose , ears , etc , become numb and feel cool following cold temperature or stress . It usually occurs in systemic sclerosis . The inner lining of the blood vessels which supply the digits become hyperplasic due to an increase in the collagen deposition and a decrease in the ground substance . The arterial lumen becomes narrower

. When the individual is exposed to cold climate vasoconstriction occurs . Further the arterial lumen is already narrow which causes intense problems during cold and stressful situations . The blood circulation in several peripheral structures such as the nose ears , fingers and toes is severely obstructed . Raynaud 's disease more often occurs in females compared to males . It is more common in areas having cold climatic conditions . The actual process of narrowing of the lumen of the arteries occurs even before the onset of Raynaud 's disease and this condition is known as `Raynaud 's phenomenon . Raynaud 's disease is a rheumatic dis causing a great amount of disability to the affected person . Raynaud 's phenomenon was first identified by Maurice Reynaud in the year 1862 (a medical student . Many scientists have said that Raynaud 's phenomenon is a better term for the condition as not a single factor by itself is responsible for vasospasm . Although the condition is known since long , much has to be learnt about the dis to help in appropriate management (Bakst , 2008 , Wigley , 2007 Harris , 2005 , Mayo Clinic , 2007

Causes and Incidence

The exact cause of Raynaud 's disease has not been understood clearly However , it seems to occur as a disturbance of the peripheral blood vessels . These blood vessels tend to react in an abnormal manner to cold and stress . Studies have demonstrated that Reynaud 's disease shares certain risk factors with cardiovascular diss . When the body is exposed to extreme cold temperature , the blood vessels in the particular region would constrict in to save heat . In people suffering from Raynaud 's disease , the response to cold is exaggerated A stressful situation may also provoke vasoconstriction and in people suffering from Raynaud 's disease , the reaction is a bit exaggerated . In Raynaud 's disease , the smooth blood vessels present in the arteries constrict dramatically , frequently blocking circulation temporarily The blood vessel wall of these small blood vessels often thickens leading to complete blockade of the blood flow

Raynaud 's phenomenon can be of two types , namely primary and secondary Primary Raynaud 's or Raynaud 's disease is not caused due to an underlying cause or an associated general problem . This is the most common type of Raynaud 's disease (Suter , 2007 , Bakst , 2008 , Wigley 2007 , Harris , 2005 , Mayo Clinic , 2007

The secondary form or Raynaud 's phenomenon is a condition caused by an associated underlying condition which may include scleroderma (most common associated - 95 rheumatoid arthritis...