Raynaud's syndrome

Raynaud's syndrome is a phenomenon that causes constriction of the blood vessels, particularly in the fingers and toes, which can lead to changes in colour and loss of sensation.

The exact cause of Raynaud's disease is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to an excessive reaction of the blood vessels to cold or stress. There is also a secondary form of Raynaud's, which may be associated with other conditions such as autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, scleroderma), vascular disease or certain medications.

• Colour changes in the fingers or toes (white, then blue and finally red), especially when exposed to cold or emotional stress.
• Sensory disturbances such as numbness or tingling in the affected areas.
• Pain or discomfort in the fingers or toes during or after a Raynaud's attack.

Raynaud's is often diagnosed on the basis of the patient's characteristic symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may carry out tests to rule out other diseases that could cause similar symptoms, such as blood tests for autoimmune diseases or vascular examinations. If the suspicion is confirmed, we will be happy to carry out further investigations.

• Cold provocation test: A cold provocation test can be carried out occasionally, in which the hands or feet are immersed in cold water for a short time to trigger a Raynaud's attack and observe the reaction of the blood vessels.
• Optical pulse oscillography: optical photoplethysmography (OPG) sensors can record oscillations of the pulse waves. By emitting infrared light, these probes can detect fluctuations in the microcirculatory blood flow of the fingers. This measurement method can be combined with the cold provocation test to detect cold-induced Raynaud's syndrome.
• Capillary microscopy: We offer capillary microscopy as part of our co-operation with our colleagues in rheumatology, which can also allow further diagnostic classification and assessment of severity.

Treatment of the disease begins with avoiding trigger factors such as cold. In addition, drug therapy can be tried if necessary in the case of severe clinical symptoms.