Raynaud’s Disease: The Myths and Misconceptions
Raynaud’s disease is a vasospastic disorder that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict when exposed to cold temperatures or stress.
It’s estimated that about one in 20 people experience Raynaud’s at some point during their lifetime, but only 5% will have symptoms that are severe enough to require treatment.
The name of the disease comes from Dr. Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud (1834 – 1881), who first described it in 1862. He wrote in his doctoral phesis: “Everytime that she went out during weather at all cool, the nose, chin, cheeks, hands and feet became pale; they passed then to a violet ting, then to a slaty white.”
About 10 million people in the UK are affected by Raynaud’s each year, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe according to how many digits are affected by their condition. It’s an extremely common, but very misunderstood, condition.
In this article, we share some of the facts and myths about it.
What is Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, nose, and ears. It happens when the blood supply to these areas gets reduced or blocked due to cold temperatures or stress. The result is a white or bluish colour in the fingers, toes and nose that goes away when blood flow resumes. In more severe cases, there may also be a painful tingling sensation known as “pinching” when the blood vessels constrict. Raynaud’s also causes a decrease in blood flow to the ears, which can cause a ringing sound known as tinnitus.
It can be thought of as a cycle in which the blood vessels that carry blood to the extremities constrict and then expand. This process happens naturally when someone is cold or stressed, but for people with Raynaud’s, it happens more frequently or more severely than it should.
Raynaud’s Isn’t…
A Circulation Issue
Poor circulation is when the body is unable to pump blood effectively to all parts of the body, but it’s not a condition in itself. Raynaud’s is a vascular illness, not a circulation issue. This means that it affects the blood vessels, not the heart or lungs.
Frostbite
Frostbite happens when skin is exposed to very cold temperatures for an extended period of time. The skin gets cold and numb, and eventually it starts to redden and turn blue. In severe cases, frostbite can cause permanent damage to the skin.
Chilblains
Chilblains are small red, itchy bumps that form on the skin when it’s exposed to cold temperatures for a long time. They usually show up on cheeks and ears, but they can also appear on other parts of the body. Chilblains aren’t dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable.
What causes Raynaud’s?
The exact cause is unknown, but it could be related to a number of factors, such as:
– Age – Raynaud’s tends to occur more often in women in young adulthood. It’s also more common among people with a family history of the condition.
– Genetics – There’s some evidence that certain gene variants may be linked to Raynaud’s, but more research needs to be done before scientists can confirm.
– Autoimmune illness – Raynaud’s may be triggered by certain conditions, such as lupus or scleroderma. It also can occur after an injury to the hands or feet.
– Smoking – Smoking has been linked to Raynaud’s phenomenon, and quitting can help keep the condition from getting worse.
Who’s Affected by Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s usually begins between the ages of 20 and 40, though it can develop at any age. The disorder causes symptoms that usually come and go and may not affect your ability to work or perform daily activities, meaning it can be present for many years before it’s noticed.
The disorder is more common in women than men, with prevalence ranging from less than 1% of men and up to 20% of women depending on the report. This disparity may be due to differing oestrogen levels, according to a study carried out in Japan.
It also affects people who are pregnant or have lupus or scleroderma. If you have diabetes, your risk of developing Raynaud’s secondary to the condition is about two times higher than for those without it. People who smoke are also more likely to develop Raynaud’s phenomenon by increasing a person’s sensitivity to cold and reducing the flow of blood through their arteries.
Are there any treatments for Raynaud’s?
There are no treatments specifically for Raynaud’s phenomenon. The main goal of treatment is to prevent the severe symptoms from happening. 95% of people won’t need medication, but doctors may prescribe calcium channel blockers or vasodilators to improve blood flow in the small blood vessels. This can make it easier for the fingers and toes to warm up when they’re cold.
How to Manage Raynaud’s
There’s no cure for Raynaud’s, but there are things that can be done to help manage it.
Silver gloves
To prevent your hands from becoming too cold, wear gloves that are lined with silver. Silver has the ability to reflect heat back into the body, keeping your hands warmer than they would be without them.
Copper gloves
Copper is a conductive metal that can warm your hands when they’re cold. The copper in the gloves will transfer heat back into your body, preventing your fingers from becoming too cold and painful.
Warm up slowly
When you get out of the cold, don’t rush inside or warm up quickly by running a hot shower or bath right away. Instead, slowly move into a warm room and let your body adjust to the temperature change. You can also use a heating pad on your hands for five minutes before using them to help increase blood flow.
Wear warm, loose-fitting clothing
Wear loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibres like wool and cotton. These fabrics are better at keeping your body temperature regulated than synthetic materials like polyester. By wearing looser clothing, you can also layer under your outerwear so you can adjust how many you wear depending on the temperature outside.
Guest post by:
Millie Fuller
Creative copywriter and self-confessed coffee addict at
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