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Raynaud's Phenomenon Causes
What Causes Raynaud's Phenomenon?
The exact cause of Raynaud's is unknown. One theory links blood disorders characterized by increased platelets or red blood cells that may increase the blood thickness. Another theory involves the special receptors in the blood that control the constriction of the blood vessels being more sensitive in individuals with Raynaud's.
What are the risk factors for Raynaud's phenomenon?
There are certain diseases or lifestyle choices that can increase a person's risk for developing Raynaud's. These risk factors include the following:
- Existing connective tissue or autoimmune disease
- Cigarette smoking (in men)
- Alcohol use (in women)
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)—a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach, which (along with acid secretion) damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing inflammation and peptic ulcers.
What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases have different risk factors.
Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop a disease, while others develop the disease and have no known risk factors.
But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.