Raynaud’s disease causes smaller arteries that supply blood flow to the skin to narrow in response to cold or stress. The affected body parts, usually fingers and toes, might turn white or blue and feel cold and numb until circulation improves, usually when you get warm.
Is Raynaud’s disease serious?
Symptoms of Raynaud’s can last from a few minutes to several hours.
It’s not a serious threat to your health
, but can be annoying to live with, because it can be difficult to use your fingers. People with Raynaud’s often go for long periods without any symptoms, and sometimes the condition goes away altogether.
How can I improve the circulation in my fingers?
- Hold your hand in front of you with your fingers together and your thumb to the side.
- Reach your thumb across your palm to the other side.
- Hold for a few seconds and repeat.
How do you fix Raynaud’s disease?
There is no cure for Raynaud’s disease
, but there are ways to manage symptoms. For mild forms of Raynaud’s disease, covering exposed skin before leaving the house can help. If an attack occurs, soaking the affected parts in warm, not hot, water can alleviate symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
What foods to avoid if you have Raynaud’s?
Avoid
caffeine and alcohol
, and get regular exercise. These supplements may help: Omega-3 fatty acids , found in fish oil, may reduce symptoms in people with primary Raynaud’s, according to one study. Fish oil did not reduce symptoms in people who had secondary Raynaud’s.
What is the life expectancy of someone with Raynaud’s disease?
Under the broad definition, the median survival time was
11.0 years (95% CI: 10.0–12.1 years) for white subjects without RP
, compared to 8.1 years (95% CI: 6.0–11.8 years) for white subjects with RP.
Does Raynaud’s get worse with age?
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.
What does it mean when the tips of your fingers are numb?
Injured or pinched nerves
can lead to numb fingers. So can blood flow issues or a range of other medical conditions. The feeling can be harmless and go away on its own. But if it comes back, it’s something you should talk about with your doctor.
What vitamin is good for blood circulation?
One of these, in particular,
vitamin B3
, can help people improve blood circulation. Also called niacin, B3 reduces inflammation and bad cholesterol. The vitamin is also important for increasing blood vessel function. Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach are good sources of vitamin B nutrients.
Should I be worried about Raynaud’s?
This causes the affected areas to turn white and blue. When blood flow returns, the skin turns red, and may throb or tingle. In very rare, severe cases, the loss of blood flow can cause ulcers or tissue death, but
usually, Raynaud’s is not dangerous—it’s just painful and frustrating.
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 deficiency causes Raynaud’s?
Abnormalities of magnesium metabolism have been reported in people with Raynaud’s disease. Symptoms similar to those seen with Raynaud’s disease occur in people with
magnesium deficiency
, probably because a deficiency of this mineral results in spasm of blood vessels.
Can Raynaud’s affect the 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.
Is Raynaud’s an autoimmune disease?
Raynaud’s can occur on its own, known as primary form. Or it may happen along with other diseases, known as secondary form.
The diseases most often linked with Raynaud’s are autoimmune or connective tissue diseases
such as: Lupus (systemic lupus erythematous)
What helps Raynaud’s in hands?
Calcium channel blockers
.
These drugs relax and open small blood vessels in your hands and feet, reducing the severity and number of attacks in most people with Raynaud’s. These drugs can also help heal skin ulcers on your fingers or toes.
Does Raynaud’s cause weight loss?
Low body weight and involuntary weight loss are associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon
in both men and women. Scand J Rheumatol.
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.
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.
Does caffeine help Raynaud’s?
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.
Does Raynaud’s qualify for disability?
Generally speaking, to qualify for disability, your Raynaud’s syndrome must:
Cause gangrene in two or more extremities
.
Include severe ulcerations on the toes or fingers which make it impossible to perform fine or gross motor movements effectively
.
Does Raynaud’s go away in summer?
For those with Raynaud’s Phenomenon,
warm summer temperatures can provide relief for many
. Despite rising summer temperatures, air conditioning and cool evenings can cause 5-30% of people to still have to consider the cold.
Is Raynaud’s disease genetic?
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 dehydration cause numbness in hands?
Nausea or feeling sick. Constipation.
Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes
or a feel of body parts “falling asleep” Lack of – or reduced – sweating, even in strenuous situations.
Can high blood pressure cause numbness in hands?
Medications for cancer (chemotherapy), HIV or AIDS, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, and certain infections
can cause weakness or numbness in your hands and feet
.
When should I worry about finger numbness?
See your doctor if you experience intermittent numbness or tingling in one or both hands. Get emergency medical care if the numbness:
Began suddenly
.
