Raynaud's phenomenon

In medicine, Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's phenomenon (pronunciation: /reɪˈnoʊz/ ray-NOHZ) is excessively reduced blood flow in response to cold or emotional stress, causing discoloration of the fingers, toes, and occasionally other areas. This condition may also cause nails to become brittle with longitudinal ridges. Named after French physician Maurice Raynaud (1834–1881), the phenomenon is believed to be the result of vasospasms that decrease blood supply to the respective regions.