Introduction Being a construction worker out in the cold weather or working with chemicals can put a lot of stress on the body. Working with Hazardous materials or in extremely cold weather can cause one’s blood vessels to constrict or become narrow. In the case of Raynaud’s the vasoconstriction of the tiny blood vessels in the fingers is excessive which causes dramatic reduction in blood flow to the digits.
Pathophysiology
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition in the blood vessels that causes excessive vasoconstriction in the peripheral extremities of a person. This disease is amplified by the cold weather and can cause hypoxia and necrosis in extreme cases. Primary Reynaud’s phenomenon a patients has no previous history of these clinical manifestations. Primary Reynaud’s is not known. Secondary Raynaud’s is usually associated with other diseases that cause vessels and capillaries in the blood to spasm. When the affected area turns cyanotic, the vessels are being filled with deoxygenated blood due to a vasoconstriction and dilation of the vessels (Ratchford & Evans, 2015).
Risks …show more content…
A personal health history play a role in the risks for having Raynaud’s as well. Autoimmune diseases like Scleroderma, Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis increase the possibility of developing Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s is also associated with neurological disorder and arterial diseases as well (Ratchford & Evans, 2015).Patients who work outside in the winter months, with machinery that vibrate constantly are at a higher risk for developing