A cold stimulation This test involves placing your finger in a bath with cold water to find out if you have Raynaud’s syndrome. Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s paradox, is a condition that causes brief periods of little or no blood flow to certain parts of the body after exposure to a time of frost or stress. It affects the fingers and toes in a major way.
Raynaud’s episodes can be caused by fairly gradual and limited actions by the frost, such as removing food from the refrigerator or storing ice cold drinks. When an episode occurs, the skin has the opportunity to become cold and numb. This still has the potential to place the skin white or blue. Once blood flow returns, the skin can peel, beat or turn purple. It usually takes 15 minutes for normal blood flow to return.
There are two forms of Raynaud’s syndrome.
- Raynaud’s primary, a fairly popular and adaptive position. It is not associated with any other health problems. Symptoms usually begin between 15 and 25 years. the majority of people with Raynaud’s primary syndrome have the opportunity to send their signs without treatment.
- Often called Raynaud’s phenomenon, secondary Raynaud’s is a less common but more nonsensical condition than primary Raynaud’s. Signs include skin ulcers (open sores due to poor blood flow) or skin infections. Signs usually begin between 35 and 40 years. Secondary Raynaud’s is usually caused by other diseases. These include disorders of the immune system and connective tissue diseases. Connective tissue diseases affect blood flow to tissues and organs.
Other Name: Cool Challenge Test
What is it used for?
A cold stimulation This test is used to diagnose Raynaud’s syndrome.
Why do I have to be cold? stimulation test?
This test may be necessary if there are signs of Raynaud’s syndrome. Symptoms are usually noticed after exposure to frost. They occur primarily on the fingers and toes and include
- Skin that turns snow white or blue
- Skin that is numb and painful
- Skin that needs a lot of time to warm up after exposure
What happens during a cold wave stimulation test?
- A small device that registers temperature is affixed to your finger.
- Your doctor takes the temperature.
- You then place your hand in a container of cold water for 20 seconds.
- You remove your hand from the cold water.
- The physician absorbs the temperature of the finger for 5 to 20 minutes, or until the heat returns to that for the cold water bath.
Do I need to make anything to prepare for the test?
No special preparation for colds is required. stimulation test.
Was there any danger in the test?
You can feel some discomfort while your hands are in the cold water.
What do the results mean?
If it takes more than 20 minutes after a cold water bath before the heat in your fingers becomes normal again, this probably means you have Raynaud’s syndrome. If you have serious symptoms or are over 35 years old, you may have secondary Raynaud’s. Secondary Raynaud’s can be caused by a variety of diseases that amount to
- Scleroderma – a disease that causes hardening of the skin and other body tissues.
- Sjogren’s syndrome, a disease causing dry eyes and dry mouth.
- Lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects many parts of the body, including joints, blood vessels, kidneys and brain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
- Blood disorders such as true polycythemia vera, a disease in which the body produces a very large number of red blood cells.
- Pulmonary hypertension, the highest blood pressure picture affecting the non-pulmonary and the arteries of the heart.
If your doctor believes you have Raynaud’s syndrome, he or she can order additional studies to diagnose the disease caused by the syndrome. These studies may include
- Nail bed capillaroscopy. In this test, the physician applies oil to the base of one nail. After this, the nail area is examined under a microscope. If abnormal arteries are visible, this could be a symptom of scleroderma or another connective tissue disease.
- Blood tests to test for immune system disorders. These include tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein.
If you have questions about your results, consult your own physician.
What should I know about the common cold? stimulation test?
You can take steps to help prevent or reduce the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome.
- Wear warm clothing in fresh weather. This includes wearing hats, mittens, scarves, and thick socks.
- Use hand and/or foot warmers on batteries and chemicals.
- Turn off the air conditioner and wear a sweater or jacket in the air conditioned room.
- Regular physiological exercise to build blood flow.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid stress.
These changes should be enough to overcome the symptoms of Raynaud’s original syndrome. If your signs give you a lot of discomfort or you have recurrent Raynaud’s syndrome, your doctor can still prescribe medications to help lift the blood vessel.
With permission from MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.
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