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Raynaud’s disease is a common condition that affects blood circulation. According to charity Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, around one in six people are affected by Raynaud’s disease, which is equivalent to over 10 million of us.
Raynaud’s disease can cause numbness, pins, and needles, and a change of skin colour – typically in the fingers and toes – when a person is exposed to low temperatures, anxiety, or stress. While Raynaud’s disease isn’t usually harmful, it can sometimes indicate the presence of an underlying health condition. It can be uncomfortable and painful to live with too.
In this article, we’ll cover exactly what Raynaud’s disease is and what causes it- as well as offering tips on how to cope.
What is Raynaud’s disease?
Raynaud’s disease is a condition that’s caused by abnormal spasms of blood vessels. This results in poor circulation in the extremities of the body – mainly hands, feet, fingers, and toes.
Those affected by Raynaud’s often have smaller blood vessels in these areas of the body, which makes them overly sensitive to stress, anxiety, or low temperatures.
Interestingly, women are more likely to suffer from Raynaud’s disease than men. And those who live in colder geographic locations are also more likely to be affected by Raynaud’s disease than those in warmer climates.
For more information about what Raynaud’s disease is, have a watch of the video below.
What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease?
When our bodies are exposed to cold temperatures, it’s normal for our blood vessels to narrow. However, for people with Raynaud’s, this reaction can be much more extreme.
Raynaud’s disease can cause areas of the body – most often the fingers and toes – to feel numb, cold, or to change colour. A person’s skin may initially turn white when blood flow is restricted, blue as blood vessels start to react, and then red as blood flow returns. They may also experience numbness, pain, or a tingling sensation in the affected areas as circulation returns. These symptoms are known as a Raynaud’s attack.
A Raynaud’s attack can be very uncomfortable, and in some cases quite painful. It can also make day-to-day tasks, such as tying your shoe laces or unzipping a jacket, very difficult.
While Raynaud’s disease most commonly affects the fingers and toes, other areas, such as the lips, nose, nipples, and ears can also be affected. Symptoms can last for anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours.
If some of these symptoms sound familiar but you’re unsure whether or not it’s Raynaud’s you’re experiencing, why not take this online Raynaud’s test?
How serious is Raynaud’s disease?
There are two different types of Raynaud’s disease: primary and secondary.
Generally, primary Raynaud’s is less serious because the condition tends to be more manageable. However, people living with secondary Raynaud’s will often experience more severe symptoms, which can be trickier to cope with.
Primary Raynaud’s disease
Primary Raynaud’s disease is when symptoms are not caused by another condition.
Primary Raynaud’s is typically a fairly mild condition and there are various ways that can help people manage their symptoms. It’s unusual for people with primary Raynaud’s disease to experience any related complications.
Secondary Raynaud’s disease
Secondary Raynaud’s disease is when the symptoms of Raynaud’s are caused by another condition – usually an autoimmune disease such as scleroderma or lupus.
People with secondary Raynaud’s disease will often require further tests and monitoring to help prevent complications, such as ulceration or sores.
Have a watch of the video below to hear from Lorraine, who was diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease and scleroderma.
Note: If you notice a change in your Raynaud’s symptoms, or are concerned about the effect that the condition is having on your life, it’s important to speak to your GP. They’ll be able to carry out tests to rule out any other conditions. You can search for your local GP using this tool on the NHS website.
What steps can I take to manage my Raynaud’s disease symptoms?
While there’s no cure for Raynaud’s disease, the condition can be treated. Often, the best way to manage symptoms is to try and prevent a Raynaud’s attack from happening in the first place. As a result, planning ahead and adopting certain lifestyle habits can be effective. These include…
Taking steps to control and limit stress and anxiety
Stress, paired with exposure to the cold, is a common trigger for Raynaud’s.
Diaphragmatic breathing (which uses your diaphragm and lower chest muscles) has been shown to be especially effective at reducing stress, which you can read more about in our article; Breathing exercises for anxiety and stress relief.
Taking part in other relaxing activities such as yoga or pilates can also be effective at reducing stress.
Avoiding use of vasoconstricting drugs where possible
Vasoconstricting drugs constrict blood vessels which can worsen circulation to areas of the body affected by Raynaud’s even more.
Examples of drugs known to be associated with vasospasm include over-the-counter nasal decongestants, amphetamines, diet pills, and some medications used for migraine headaches. It’s best to speak to your GP if you’re concerned that a medication is making your Raynauld’s symptoms worse.
Keeping warm
It’s important to do all you can to keep warm, as even a slight change in temperature can cause a Raynaud’s attack.
Wearing lots of thin layers, using hand warmers, feet warmers, thick socks, thermal insoles, and fleece blankets can be useful. Alternatively, Amazon also sells a range of doctor-developed Raynaud’s gloves.
Avoiding the use of vibrating tools and trauma to the fingertips where possible
This study found that the use of vibrating tools caused Raynaud’s disease in a variety of workers, including chainsaws, chippers, and grinders.
If your line of work involves the use of vibrating tools and you’re concerned about developing or worsening symptoms of Raynaud’s disease, you might find this guide on what you can do as an employee from Pulsar Instruments useful.
Exercising regularly
Exercise can help to boost circulation and improve symptoms of Raynaud’s disease. Even gentle, low-impact exercises can help to get your blood pumping. If you’re stuck for inspiration, you’ll find plenty of exercise ideas on the fitness and exercise section of our site.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet
Certain foods, such as ginger, garlic, and spicy food, are believed to help improve Raynaud’s disease symptoms.
Making sure you eat enough protein can also help the body to heal quicker, which is especially important for anyone living with secondary Raynaud’s who may experience ulceration.
Stopping smoking
Just one cigarette can reduce the body’s temperature by as much as one degree for up to 20 minutes, and smoking is well-known for its vaso-restrictive properties (constriction of blood vessels). Plus, we all know that giving up smoking is highly beneficial for our overall health too.
You can find stop smoking resources on the NHS website.
Avoiding having too much caffeine
Caffeine containing products can affect blood vessel constriction and cause Raynaud’s attacks. Products with high caffeine content include coffee, tea, coca cola, and chocolate.
I’m concerned about my Raynaud’s disease symptoms - should I see my GP?
If your Raynaud’s symptoms are worsening and having an impact on your daily life, it’s worth seeking advice from your GP. They’ll be able to advise you on how to cope, and in some cases, may be able to prescribe medicine to help improve your circulation.
During your visit, your GP may also arrange further tests if they suspect you have secondary Raynaud’s and that symptoms could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
You can search for your local GP on the NHS website.
What support is there for people living with Raynaud’s disease?
If you’re struggling with Raynaud’s disease and feel that you’d benefit from some extra support and guidance, there are places to reach out to.
Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is a charity for people living with scleroderma and Raynuad’s. It offers information and advice about living with Raynaud’s, information on how to find support groups near you, and advice about coronavirus and Raynaud’s.
Alternatively, if you’d like to connect with other people going through the same thing as you, you might be interested in joining this conversation thread on the Rest Less Lifestyle Facebook group. Here members are sharing their experiences and discussing different methods that have helped them manage Raynaud’s symptoms.
Final thoughts…
Reynaud’s disease is a common condition that affects blood circulation. While there’s no exact cure, the good news is that there are plenty of steps and lifestyle changes that can help people manage and relieve symptoms.
While Raynaud’s disease isn’t usually harmful, in some cases it can be a sign of an underlying issue, so it’s important not to dismiss your symptoms and to always speak to your GP if you’re concerned.
Do you suffer from Raynaud’s disease, or know somebody that does? What do you find most useful in managing the condition? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
Francesca Williams is a lifestyle writer at Rest Less. She joined Rest Less in early 2021 after achieving a first-class degree in History at the University of Sheffield and qualifying as an NCTJ Gold Standard Journalist. Francesca writes across a range of lifestyle topics, specialising in health, history, and art and culture. In her spare time, Francesca likes to keep herself busy and enjoys going on walks, playing netball, going to the gym, getting involved with her local church, and socialising with friends and family.
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