There is a link between long-term physical health conditions, such as Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma, and
mental health problems such as depression, is well known
.
Can raynauds cause anxiety?
As a psychological reaction to diagnosis is also likely,
it is necessary to consider the likelihood of individuals living with Raynaud's also developing depression and anxiety
, and suffering from a worse quality of life, and hence to develop appropriate techniques to combat this.
Does Raynaud's cause depression?
—
Mueller and Allen
1
have described a group of seasonally depressed patients who are initially seen with Raynaud's phenomenon in a large percentage of cases
. The authors speculate that dysmetabolism of melatonin and serotonin underlies these problems.
Is Raynaud's linked to stress?
Raynaud's is usually triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress
. The condition occurs because your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, which blocks the flow of blood. This causes the affected area to change colour to white, then blue and then red, as the bloodflow returns.
Is Raynaud's syndrome neurological?
(People exposed to cold weather are well aware of these mechanisms.) Cold, of course, is the main trigger in Raynaud's phenomenon, although roughly one-third of patients experience it in response to stress and anxiety — another indication that
the condition is neurological and even psychological in origin
.
What happens if Raynaud's goes untreated?
Left untreated , Raynaud's phenomenon
can lead to gangrene (tissue death) in some cases
. Seek prompt medical care if you have symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon in the fingers or toes, such as unusual coldness, skin color changes, and the development of sores or lesions that do not heal.
Is Raynaud's an autoimmune disorder?
Summary. Raynaud's phenomenon is the short-term interruption of blood flow to the extremities, such as the fingers and toes.
Raynaud's phenomenon may be a sign of an underlying autoimmune disorder such as scleroderma or lupus
, so it's important to see your doctor for diagnosis.
What autoimmune diseases are associated with Raynaud's?
- Lupus (systemic lupus erythematous)
- Scleroderma.
- CREST syndrome (a form of scleroderma)
- Buerger disease.
- Sjögren syndrome.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Occlusive vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis.
- Polymyositis.
Is Raynaud's serious?
In rare cases, Raynaud's can become severe
. If it causes skin sores or gangrene—decay or death of body tissues—you may need antibiotics or surgery to remove the damaged tissue. In very serious cases, it might be necessary to remove the affected toe or finger. But don't panic—this is extremely rare.
Why is my Raynaud's getting worse?
Causes of secondary Raynaud's include:
Connective tissue diseases
. Most people who have a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin (scleroderma) have Raynaud's. Other diseases that increase the risk of Raynaud's include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome.
What is the best medication for Raynaud's?
Calcium channel blockers
are the class of drugs most widely used for treatment of Raynaud syndrome—especially the dihydropyridines (eg, nifedipine, nicardipine), which are the most potent vasodilators. Nifedipine is the customary first choice.
What is secondary Raynaud's?
Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon)
results from another illness
. It's often a condition that attacks your body's connective tissues, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It's less common, but it's more likely to cause serious health problems.
Is Raynaud's hereditary?
Inheritance.
Raynaud phenomenon sometimes runs in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown
. Studies suggest that about 30 percent of people with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) who has primary Raynaud phenomenon also have the condition.
Can Raynaud's be cured?
There is no cure for Raynaud's that occurs on its own
(primary Raynaud's). But you may be able to control it by avoiding the things that trigger it.
What vitamins are good for Raynaud's?
- Omega-3 fatty acids , found in fish oil, may reduce symptoms in people with primary Raynaud's, according to one study. …
- Evening primrose oil (EPO) . …
- Inositol hexaniacinate , a form of vitamin B3 or niacin, may reduce frequency of Raynaud's attacks. …
- Magnesium opens up blood vessels.
Is Raynaud's syndrome reversible?
Raynaud syndrome is reversible
vasospasm of parts of the hand in response to cold or emotional stress. Raynaud syndrome may be primary or secondary to another disorder, typically one affecting connective tissue. Primary Raynaud syndrome, unlike the secondary form, rarely causes gangrene or tissue loss.
What mimics Raynaud's?
Chilblains
may be confused with Raynaud's as both conditions occur after exposure to cold, affect acral areas, and may cause associated pain and red or purple discoloration of the skin. Chilblains tends to present with more discrete acral lesions rather than the more even discoloration seen in Raynaud's [ 27 , 28 ].
How does caffeine affect Raynaud's disease?
Check with your clinician about the use of these drugs.
Caffeine triggers Raynaud's in some people
; try avoiding it for a while to see if that helps. Act quickly to end an attack. Once a Raynaud's episode starts, get warm as quickly as possible.
Can Raynaud's cause damage?
Most people who have Raynaud's have no long-term tissue damage or disability
. However, people who have severe Raynaud's can develop skin sores or gangrene from prolonged or repeated Raynaud's attacks. “Gangrene” refers to the death or decay of body tissues.
Can Raynaud's affect your heart?
There's no known link between Raynaud's and heart disease
. However, anyone who already suffers from Raynaud's and is then diagnosed with heart disease should make sure that their doctor is aware of it.
What is the difference between Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's syndrome?
Primary vs.
Only your doctor can determine which one you have. In either case, you may see it called Raynaud's “disease,” or “syndrome,” or “phenomenon.” These terms are often used interchangeably, but technically,
Raynaud's disease refers only to the primary form
.
Does Raynaud's affect internal organs?
RP can occur in the toes and more rarely in the skin of the ear lobes, nose, tongue, nipples, as well as internal organs
.
How do you know if Raynaud's is primary or secondary?
secondary Raynaud's. To tell the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud's,
your doctor might do a test called nailfold capillaroscopy
. During the test, the doctor looks at the skin at the base of your fingernail under a microscope or magnifier to look for deformities or swelling of the tiny blood vessels.
Do Rheumatologists treat Raynaud's?
Rheumatologists are the doctors best equipped to diagnose Raynaud's
. When a patient comes in with symptoms, an evaluation will include a complete medical history, physical exam, and blood tests to determine if the Raynaud's is primary or secondary.
Is raynauds progressive?
It is a progressive condition
, meaning it tends to worsen as a person gets older. Initially it may only affect the tips of the fingers or toes, but over time may affect whole fingers and toes.
