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Raynaud's phenomenon - Background information
What is it?
- Raynaud's phenomenon is episodic vasospasm of the arteries in the extremities, causing pallor followed by cyanosis and/or redness of the fingers and toes (and in some cases the ears and nose) [Pope, 2007a].
- Primary (or idiopathic) Raynaud's phenomenon occurs without an underlying cause [Pope, 2007a].
- Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon occurs in association with an underlying disease (usually connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, or polymyositis) [Pope, 2007a].
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