Raynaud's Disease
What is Raynaud's Disease
Raynaud's disease is a condition which affects the extremities: predominantly the fingers and toes, but sometimes the ears, and on rare occasions the nose, chin or cheeks. The symptoms are a painful sensation of cold in these extremities, and a whitening or reddening of the fingers or toes.
During an attack, the blood supply to these parts of the body becomes interrupted as the arteries that normally supply them spasm and contract. The affected parts may feel numb, or tingle slightly, or may feel extremely painful. Applying warmth to the affecting area is the best way of relieving the symptoms.
Over time, the condition can cause the blood supply to the fingers and toes to deteriorate, leading to ulceration of the skin. Nine out of ten people with Raynaud's disease are women.
What are the Symptoms of Raynaud's Disease
The condition can usually be diagnosed at an early age, but some people with the illness do not show any symptoms until late teenage years. Many people with Raynaud's find that it can get progressively worse over time, as damage is done to the blood supply to the affected areas.
What are the Causes of Raynaud's Disease
Raynaud's attacks are usually triggered by contact with the cold. Stress and anxiety can also lead to a Raynaud's attack. Smoking plays a part in constricting blood vessels and this can also cause the onset of a Raynaud's attack in people who have been diagnosed with the illness.
Working for prolonged periods with vibrating tools, such as chainsaws or pneumatic drills, can induce Raynaud's symptoms in some people. This condition can persist indefinitely even if the worker changes to a different form of employment. It is also known as Vibration-Induced White Finger, and is a recognised industrial illness.
It is not known what causes the onset of Raynaud's disease. Though it can be hereditary, often the disease is much milder in offspring. The illness occurs spontaneously, often in childhood or adolescence, without any underlying cause.
Secondary Raynaud's disease is much less common and arises as a result of a co-existing medical condition. A person who develops the symptoms of Raynaud's may in fact be suffering from an underlying illness, such as Scleroderma, Lupus, Sjögrens syndrome, Buerger's disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Traditional Medical Treatments for Raynaud's Disease
There is no known cure for Raynaud's disease, just as there is no known cause. Hence, treatment of the illness involves addressing the symptoms. There are drugs available that can relieve the symptoms but they are not helpful in every case. It is reasonable for the doctor to suggest a trial of medication to see if it will help.
The best treatments for Raynaud's symptoms are preventative. Patients are advised to keep their entire body warm, and wear layered clothing to prevent heat loss. At night, an electric blanket can be used to keep warm.
Mittens, fleece-lined gloves and good socks can help prevent the onset of symptoms. Gloves or mittens should especially be worn if there is any risk of coming in contact with cold surfaces or objects, such as fridges of frozen food.
People with Raynaud's disease can learn to recognise any activities that may induce an attack. Common activities include those which involve placing pressure on the digits, such as typing, playing keyboards and pianos, chopping food and using vibrating tools. As smoking can constrict blood flow, this must be avoided.
Complementaty/Alternative Treatments for Raynaud's Disease
Lifestyle changes and supplements that encourage better circulation may be effective alternatives for managing Raynaud's. If you're interested, talk to your doctor about:
Biofeedback using your mind to control body temperature may help decrease the severity and frequency of attacks. Biofeedback includes guided imagery to increase the temperature of hands and feet, deep breathing and other relaxation exercises. Your doctor may be able to suggest a therapist who can help you learn biofeedback techniques. Books and tapes also are available on the subject. Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to skin. This has led scientists to believe that niacin supplements may be useful in treating Raynaud's, although niacin supplements may have side effects.
Coping with the stress and nuisance of Raynaud's takes patience and effort. Work with your doctor to manage your condition and maintain a positive attitude. The majority of people with Raynaud's respond to treatment.