Raynaud's Phenomenon

Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA is a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that affects the joints symmetrically, causing a range of systemic effects. What it causes is still not well known; nevertheless, findings of new research points towards a believe that it is triggered by a defective immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause damage to cartilage and bone, usually affecting the wrists, the joints of the hand, including the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers and feet. While this condition can affect any joints, besides, important body organs such as the eyes and the lungs can also be affected by the inflammation that occurs as a result of this chronic condition. Only in America 1.3 million of people are affected by this ailment, and 75 % of them are mainly women. Its onset usually occurs between fourth and sixth decades; however, RA can occur at any age("Diseases And

The most common reason why Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs is because of exposure to the cold. “In the cold, it is normal for the body to narrow the small blood vessels to the skin and to open the blood vessels to the inside part of the body to keep the body warm. But with Raynaud’s, the body restricts blood flow to the skin more than it needs to.” (WebMD, 2005-2016). Other reasons consist of taking certain medications, using vibrating power tools for a number of years, excessive smoking, having emotional stress, caffeine, trauma, circulatory problems, drug use, exposure to some chemicals or toxic substances, or having frostbite could be factors that could contribute to getting Raynaud’s disease. There are many triggers, but the basic cause of Raynaud’s disease is still not known. “There has been a link established between Raynaud’s and some autoimmune diseases.” “Raynaud’s may also signal damage to the blood vessels caused by occupational injuries.” (Raynaud’s Association, 2016). An example of an occupational injury that has been previously discussed is using vibrating power tools over the course of several years. “Women are affected nine times more than men with this disease.” “Researchers estimate that Raynaud’s affects as many as twenty percent of all women in their child bearing years. That is one in five women from their early teens into their early fifties.” (Raynaud’s Association,

Few people are aware of Raynaud's disease even though it is a fairly common condition. Raynaulds Disease is also referred to as Raynauld’s phenonmenon. Raynaud's is a condition in which cold temperatures or stress cause blood vessel spasms that block blood flow to fingers, toes, nose, and ears. This causes these body parts to suddenly turn ice cold and to become a purple or blue color. Later when the blood flow becomes normal the area turns a reddish color and later returns to normal. There are two types of Raynaud's Disease, primary Raynaud's disease and secondary Raynaud's disease. Primary Raynaud's is when a person has no other cause or condition. Secondary Raynaud's is when there is another condition that

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small

He underwent blood testing and was found to be positive for Lyme, including positive Western blot. He was then treated with courses of doxycycline. After this treatment, he did develop some weakness in his left upper extremity. He was seen by infectious disease, who ordered a second course of doxycycline. He was also experiencing right hand cramping during this time, as well as myalgias, arthralgias, and chronic fatigue. He did see a neurologist starting last year. That neurologist noted that the patient had improvement in his symptoms of his left upper extremity weakness after his second treatment with doxycycline, which did not include steroids. He felt that this favored possible Lyme associated radiculopathy. He did note that the patient did have a positive MRI that could explain his radicular symptoms and thought possibly that he had a partially compromised left cervical root, which became inflamed and more symptomatic during his Lyme disease. On his last evaluation with neurology at Manchester VA on 06/08/2015, it was noted that his left upper extremity weakness had improved. However, he was starting to have dysesthesia in the C4-5 dermatome on the left upper extremity. The patient claims that that is his

Finger or toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or when stressed (Raynaud's phenomenon)

Mr. A is exhibiting signs and symptoms of atrophy which is a decrease in cell workload. Mr. A muscle cell workload will decline as well as o2 and protein synthesis. Mr. A is experiencing several different forms of atrophy, with the first being disuse, which is a reduction in skeletal use. Secondly Mr. A is also exhibiting inadequate nutrition due to his diet of only biscuit and grits. Lastly, due to the compound fraction which means there is a break in the skin, there would be poor circulation. Mr. A is experiencing gas gangrene due to the compound fracture, and exposure to outside elements for the past few weeks he has been in the bed. There are 3 different types of gangrene.

The doctor found that Steve was having what seemed to be stroke like symptoms. The entire left side of Steve’s face was drooping, he lost control of his extremities on that side of his body, and his hands had turn blue as if he had lost circulation. Doctor administered an ANITPLATELET AGENT immediately in case Steve was having a stroke. They also sent him for a brain computerized tomography and an antinuclear antibody test. It took a couple hours for the doctor to receive all the results, but when they came back Steve did not have a stroke. Steve was diagnosed with RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON. The doctor had to decide his next course of

O: Right index finger: bruising of finger, mild edema, Full Active and passive ROM, Tender to palpation, no warmth. Brisk capillary refills; right radial and ulnar pulse +3

This is a 48-year-old male with a 6/7/1995 date of injury. A specific mechanism of injury has not been described.

Early presenting signs and symptoms of both, Primary Raynaud’s (PR) and Secondary Raynaud’s include complaints of or evidence of sudden intermittent episodes of skin color changes, pain, feeling of coldness, and pins-and-needles sensation in the affected areas. When an episode or an attack occurs, the area first becomes white, as the blood flow decreases; a blue color follows, due to decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues; and lastly, the area becomes red when the blood flow returns. Attacks can last minutes to hours, and can be initiated by temperature change or stress. The intermittent attacks of PR generally do not result in tissue injury, and is not associated with an underlying disease process. The diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 15-30. Attacks with Secondary Raynaud’s are triggered by cold exposure and stress as well, can last longer and result in damage to the tissues, leading to ulcers, gangrene, and loss of the digit(s). Secondary Raynaud’s is associated with an underlying disease, and is usually diagnosed after the

rich blood reaches the extremities and this leads to the blue appearance. Peripheral cyanosis can

Raynaud’s syndrome causes narrowing of arteries carrying blood to fingers and toes limiting the blood circulation as a result of cold exposure. Nifedipine, vasodilator and calcium channel blocker is the drug of choice in treating Reynaud’s syndrome. Oral delivery of nifedipine can exhibit adverse effects like headache and dizziness, so topical formulation is a good alternative in this perspective. Another challenge is, photodegradation of nifedipine. To overcome this problem, a topical non-greasy vanishing cream, an o/w emulsion is formulated which retained 72% of nifedipine upon exposure to UVA light for 2h. In order to further improve the photostability, various photo stabilizers such as rutin, quercetin and butyl methoxybenzoylmethane (BMDBM)

The skin is often involved in vasculitic syndromes, because it is so large and sois richly supplied with blood vessels. Furthermore, iIt is exposed to low temperatures and is subject to the stagnation of blood by pressure and by gravity-dependent stasis. Thus it is peculiarly susceptible to vasculitis, whether primary or secondary as in hepatitis C and other infections, serum sickness, autoimmune disorders or malignant neoplasms.

If vasodilation were increased, that would increase the blood flow to the different body parts affected and would ultimately help the shortness of blood circulation around different areas of the body (Herrick 2005). Calcium channel blockers open up the blood vessels located on hands and feet. This decreases the amounts of attacks and relieves the symptoms. Some examples of calcium channel blockers are include nifedipine, amlodipine, and felodipine. Vasodilators are also prescribed in order to open up the blood vessels and increase blood flow. Nitroglycerin cream is usually applied to the base of the fingers to help and some medications, such as prostaglandins, may relieve the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon (Mayo Clinic 2016).