Treatment for Raynaud Syndrome :: essays research papers

give-and-take for Raynauds - 2 -IntroductionRaynaud syndrome is an auto-immune disorder in which blood vessels in the digits constrict. It usually strikes females between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Between three to five shargon of people atomic number 18 affected. (Harvard, 2003) in that respect is no known act or cure. (Segala et al, 2003) Clinical features primarily deal with (but are not limited to) the digits of the fingers. other digits that may be affected include toes, nose, and ear lobes. Exposure to dust-covered and emotional stress triggers the vasoconstriction of the digits. It was originally exposit by the Catholic, French medico 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 subterfuge changes. After onset, a tri-color change blanching (white), cyanosis (blue), and reactive hyperaemia (red) occurs. Pallor (blanching) shows vasospasm and injustice of arterial blood flow, cyanosis shows the deoxygenation of static venous blood, and rubor (red) shows reactive hyperemia following return of blood flow. (Bowling, 2003) Theories for the causes of Raynaud syndrome include arterial wall damage, conjugation tissue disease (CTD), or repetitive use of vibrational tools. (Ko, 2002) There are various methods of diagnosing Raydaund syndrome. Cold water emersion is champion method. In this method, patients hands are immersed in cold water to look on any clinical features. Another mode of diagnosis looks at aesculapian conditions that are associated with Raynaud syndrome, such as CTD, scleroderma, and lupus. A third technique includes natural examination of the ulnar and radial vessels, nail folds in the capillaries, presence of digital inflammation, sclerodactyly (sleroderma, hardening of the skin, of the fingers and toes), or telangiectasia (chronic dilation of groups of capillaries Treatment for Raynauds - 3 -that cause dar k red blotches on the skin, usually on the face). Laboratory tests are another consideration of diagnosis. Tests consist of anti-nuclear anti-body (ANA) counts and anti-topoisomerase (an enzyme that reduces super-coiling in DNA by intermission and rejoining one or both strands of DNA). High ANAs and low anti-topoisomerases are found in patients with Raynaud syndrome. (Desai, 2003) Patients with circulating autoantibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-Scl 70 antibodies are at (an) increase risk of developing a connective tissue disease. Systemic sclerosis is the connective tissue disease most frequently associated with Raynauds phenomenon. (Bowling, 2003) This syndrome is described as primary Raynaud phenomenon (PRP) if is not associated with another disorder and as subaltern Raynaud phenomenon (SRP) if it occurs in association with another disorder.