Raynaud’s Syndrome , The “icy” danger to our fingers
“I’m always cold on my fingers and toes, on my nose, on my ears … isn’t that Raynaud’s syndrome?” Of course, such a question would be asked by those who know what this disease is. However, most people hardly know that Raynaud’s syndrome is the disease that makes us feel frostbite on our toes, changing even their natural body color.
In order to make just such a diagnosis and to be able to successfully cure it, one must first go through the elimination of other possible causes. Raynaud’s syndrome is more common in women than in men. According to one study, about 5% of the stronger sex have suffered from this disease, while in women the percentage is 8.
Table of Contents
Symptoms Raynaud’s Syndrome
This pathological condition of the blood vessels leads to a sharp contraction of the small arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes, usually when exposed to cold. The nose and ears can also be affected. As a result of the reduced blood supply, changes in skin color occur, often accompanied by pain, tingling and stabbing. This is the so-called primary Raynaud’s syndrome. In the secondary there is a combination of the syndrome with some other diseases.
Reasons
The cause of Raynaud’s syndrome is a contraction of the muscles in the walls of the small blood vessels in the fingers of the limbs, as a result of which their blood supply is difficult. Seizures are caused by cold, working with vibrating instruments or certain medications (including beta-blockers). The skin fades due to lack of blood, then turns blue when the blood flow begins to invade, and eventually becomes red and painful. The disease sometimes occurs in people with rheumatoid arthritis or arterial disease. Not all patients experience this “three-phase” change in the color of the skin on the fingers. In some, a “two-phase” or “single-phase” change was observed.
More than 80 percent of patients develop primary Raynaud’s syndrome. To determine the diagnosis, a number of tests are performed based on certain criteria. These criteria have been developed in view of clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as following the results of capillaroscopy of the nail bed.
ATTENTION!
The average age of development of Raynaud’s syndrome is 14 years! Only 27 percent of patients have this after the age of 40. In about a quarter of patients, Raynaud’s syndrome occurs in relatives in the direct line. Very often the secondary Raynaud’s syndrome is associated with other diseases – scleroderma, cutaneous tuberculosis, connective tissue diseases, hematological disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and others. Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome usually develops after the age of 30.
It is characterized by more pronounced and painful episodes of spasm, as well as structural changes in the capillaries. Emotional stress can also provoke digital spasm, and anxiety often exacerbates these spasms. In such cases, sedatives are prescribed. In cases of frequent and prolonged spasms in both primary and secondary Raynaud’s syndrome, drug therapy is prescribed.
Advices
- Avoid the factors that cause a seizure. Smoking, for example, constricts the arteries. Wear gloves and socks and wear several pairs of clothes. Fabrics such as wool, silk and polypropylene retain heat.
- Improve your blood circulation through daily exercise and regular massages.
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Emphasize products containing magnesium, flavonoids, vitamins B and E and essential fatty acids. Also take daily supplements with multivitamins and minerals. Limit alcohol and caffeine.
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Add warming spices (hot red pepper, ginger, coriander seeds, cloves and cinnamon) to your diet or drink 1-2 cups of tea made with one of these spices every day.
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Heating with a warm but not hot bath is recommended. A mustard bath for feet or hands is also helpful.
- In a seizure, raise your arms above your head for a minute, then shake them for half a minute to stimulate blood circulation. Rubbing your hands together for 1-2 minutes also helps.
When to seek specialized help
- The measures described do not lead to improvement.
- You notice damage to your skin.
- You also have a leg ulcer, rash or arthritis.
- Pale or bluish skin does not return to its normal color.
Finally, we will strongly emphasize not to underestimate this disease. Ignoring it can lead to fatal consequences for the fingers and toes, such as tissue loss or, worst of all, loss of the fingers themselves.
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