A patient is diagnosed with primary Raynaud's disease. How may this disorder be simply explained to the patient?

Primary Raynaud's disease can be explained to the patient as a condition characterized by vasospasm, which involves the small arteries and arterioles in the fingers and, to a lesser extent, the toes. This disorder leads to an exaggerated response to cold temperatures or stress, resulting in a temporary decrease in blood flow to these extremities. As a result, patients may experience color changes in their fingers and toes, typically turning white or blue, followed by redness as blood flow returns. The focus on small vessel involvement distinguishes primary Raynaud's from other conditions that may involve larger vessels or are due to inflammation or neoplastic changes.