DISEASES OF THE ARTERIES AND VEINS: ARTERIAL SPASM – RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON
Spasm of the arteries is a rare cause of arterial blockage. Often it is associated with taking medications that provoke spasm, especially ergots (which are in some medications used to treat migraine headaches).Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Raynaud’s phenomenon is an exaggerated response to the normal reflex mechanism which causes blood vessels in the hands and feet to narrow (spasm) in the cold or with emotion. It affects 1 in 20 Americans to some degree, mostly women.If you experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, your fingers or toes (and in some people, ears and nose) turn chalky white when you are exposed to cold, and they also sting. Your skin may turn blue or bright red upon return to a warmer environment before normal color returns.*203\252\8*
