phe·nom·e·non (noun) – a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
I started to notice a phenomenon was taking place in my body when I was 16 years old. If I was cold, stressed or upset, it would sneak up on me and I would lose blood flow to areas of my body including my hands and fingers, which would quickly turn a pale yellow/white color. I was later diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon, also known as Raynaud’s syndrome. Raynaud’s is a rare disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers and toes, and in some cases, the ears, knees and nose. It’s characterized by episodic spasms, called vasospastic attacks, which cause small blood vessels to constrict in response to cold temperatures and emotional stimulants.
While Raynaud’s can occur on its own (primary Raynaud’s phenomenon), it can also be related to another medical condition (secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon). I have the primary form. Primary Raynaud’s is the most common, and milder, form. About 75 percent of all cases of primary Raynaud’s phenomenon are diagnosed in women between ages 15 and 40. People with the primary form rarely develop the other diseases associated with Raynaud’s such as lupus or scleroderma. Having Raynaud’s isn’t life-threatening, but it does affect my quality of life.