Summary
Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers, ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose due to spasms of blood vessels in response to cold, stress, or emotional upset.
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Symptoms include fingers that turn pale or white then blue when exposed to cold, hands that become swollen and painful when warmed, sores on the finger pads, and in rare cases, gangrene in the fingers that causes infection or needs amputation.
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Risk factors for primary Raynaud's include sex (affects more women than men), age (usually between 15 and 30), climate (more common in colder climates), and family history.
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Prevention includes bundling up outdoors and avoiding exposure to cold temperatures.
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Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, surgery.
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