Raynaud's Disease has been around for over 100 years and yet we still have little information about what to do with it. In 1862, Maurice Raynaud described episodes of discoloration of the skin of the digits on exposure to cold, and he thought this was due to increased sensitivity of the sympathetic nervous system. This condition, which is limited to the skin, came to be termed Raynaud's disease.(1)

An episode typically begins when one or more of the digits appear white as the individual is exposed to a cold environment or touches a cold object. This changing of color of the skin is considered to be the phase when the blood supply to the digits becomes deficient. This is caused by vasospasms, or spasms of the blood vessels that lead to the affected area. After the discoloration, the sensation of cold and sometimes numbness follows. If the affected digit is again warmed, then the blood supply returns to the area. Sometimes this is painful and there is a throbbing sensation.

This series of events is referred to as Raynaud's Phenomenon. The name changes to Raynaud's Disease when other causes of the symptoms are ruled out. Over 50 percent of people with Raynaud's phenomenon have Raynaud's disease. Women are affected about five times more often than men, and the age of presentation is usually between 20 and 40 years.(2) One interesting group of people with Raynaud's symptoms comprises those whose occupations involve routine use of vibratory equipment, or frequent exposure to cold temperatures. From 40 to 90 percent of loggers and 50 percent of miners using vibratory equipment have been diagnosed with Raynaud's disease. Heredity may also play a role in the development of this disease.(3) Frequency also seems to be increased in pianists and typists, and electric shock injury or frostbite may also predispose a later development of Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's phenomenon occurs in 80-90 percent of patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and is the presenting symptom in 30 percent. It may be the only symptom of scleroderma for many years.(2)

Other causes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon include atherosclerosis of the extremities (frequently seen in men over age 50), collagen vascular diseases, arterial occlusive diseases, pulmonary hypertension, neurogenic lesions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and certain blood diseases.