Treatment of Raynaud's Syndrome - 2 -IntroductionRaynaud's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the blood vessels of the digits constrict. It usually strikes women between the ages of eighteen and thirty. “Between three and five percent of people are affected. » (Harvard, 2003) There is no known cause or cure. (Segala et al, 2003) Clinical features mainly concern (but are not limited to) the fingers. Other fingers that may be affected include the toes, nose, and earlobes. Exposure to cold and emotional stress triggers vasoconstriction of the digits. It was originally described by the French Catholic physician Maurice Raynaud in 1862. In this condition, the vasospastic response is more frequently induced by exposure to cold temperatures and is often accompanied by digital color changes. After onset, a three-color change [blanching (white), cyanosis (blue), and reactive hyperemia (red)] occurs. “Pallor (blanching) shows vasospasm and loss of arterial blood flow, cyanosis shows deoxygenation of static venous blood, and rubor (red) shows reactive hyperemia after blood flow returns.” (Bowling, 2003) Theories on the causes of Raynaud's syndrome include: arterial wall damage, connective tissue disease (CTD), or repetitive use of vibrating tools. (Ko, 2002) There are different methods to diagnose Raydaund syndrome. Emersion in cold water is one method. In this method, patients' hands are immersed in cold water to observe possible clinical features. Another mode of diagnosis looks at medical conditions associated with Raynaud's syndrome, such as CTD, scleroderma, and lupus. A third technique includes physical examination of the ulnar and radial vessels, nail folds in the capillaries, the presence of digital inflammation, sclerodactyly (sleroderma, hardening of the skin, fingers and toes) or telangiectasia (chronic dilation of groups of capillaries). Raynaud's - 3 - which cause dark red spots on the skin, usually on the face). Laboratory tests are another element to consider in the diagnosis. The tests consist of a count of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-topoisomerase (an enzyme that reduces DNA supercoiling by breaking and rejoining one or both strands of DNA). High levels of ANA and low anti-topoisomerases are observed in patients with Raynaud's syndrome. (Desai, 2003) “Patients with circulating autoantibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-Scl 70 antibodies are at increased risk of developing connective tissue disease. Systemic sclerosis is the connective tissue disease most frequently associated with Raynaud's phenomenon. (Bowling, 2003) This syndrome is described as primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) if it is not associated with another disorder and as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (SRP) if it occurs in association with another disorder..