Raynaud syndrome is a clinical problem that is also known as Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon. It is the type of disease that hampers the flow of blood vessels in various parts of the body. This includes body parts like fingers, toes, and sometimes even nose and ears.

This phenomenon is characterized by a period of reduced blood flow, which results in the whitening of those particular areas of the body. These affected parts also often turn into blue color and start feeling numb or cold. In this blog, we will address the problem of Raynaud’s syndrome, its causes, symptoms, and how one can prevent it.

What is Raynaud Syndrome?

Raynaud syndrome is a medical condition or problem that reduces the circulation of blood flow from blood vessels to a particular area. Mostly it affects fingers, ears, toes, nipples, or nose. This condition occurs due to the spasm or contraction of muscles in a particular area of the body. This spasm or contraction occurs as a response or reflection to cold, stress, or emotional stress.

This vascular disorder limits the blood flow in the blood vessels which leads to other complications like discoloration or sensations that are associated with this phenomenon.

A study suggests that women are more prone to Raynaud Syndrome than men. Additionally, it seems to be prevalent in the area with cold weather conditions.

What are Primary Raynaud Syndrome and Secondary Raynaud Syndrome?

Mainly there are two types of Raynaud syndrome – Primary and secondary. As the name suggests, primary Raynaud syndrome occurs on its own and is not associated with any other disease or medical condition. Whereas, secondary Raynaud is often accompanied by an existing medical condition or health problem. This may include diseases like lupus scleroderma, or conditions like atherosclerosis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Although secondary Raynaud is not as common as primary Raynaud syndrome, it tends to be more serious.

What are the Symptoms of Raynaud Syndrome?

Symptoms of Raynaud disease are visible and may include:

  • Cold fingers or toes
  • The affected region or area on the body will turn white and then blue. This discoloration also depends on the skin color. The paler the skin color, the easier it is to see.
  • Numbness in the affected area.
  • Prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief.

During an attack of Raynaud, the area of the skin often turns pale first accompanied by a numbness. When the skin starts warming up a bit and the blood circulation starts, the affected area may change color, tingle, or swell. After warming up, to return to the normal state it can take around 15 minutes.

When to See a Doctor?

You need to consult your health provider right away if you have a long medical history of Raynaud syndrome. You can also see a doctor if the symptoms do not recover.

What Risk Factors are Associated with Raynaud Syndrome?

Risk factors for primary Raynaud syndrome include:

  • Gender – The condition affects women more than men
  • Age – It affects people from the age of 15 to 30
  • Climate – Affects people more living in cold climate conditions
  • Family history – Having a family history of the disease

Risk factors for secondary Raynaud syndrome include:

Association with other diseases – This includes diseases such as scleroderma and lupus.
Jobs – This affects people with jobs that cause repeated stress and trauma
Substance consumption – Smoking, certain medicines that affect blood vessels, and other chemicals.

How Can You Prevent Raynaud Syndrome?

Although Raynaud syndrome is not a critical medical condition, you can take the following measures to prevent it:

Wear warm clothes

When you feel like it’s cold outside, wear a scarf, glove, hat, socks, boots, etc. Wear a face mask and earmuff if the tip of your nose and your ear feels really cold.

Keep your house warm

Run a heater in your house to make it durable at room temperature.

Take medications

If your Raynaud syndrome is associated with other medical conditions, in that case, take proper medication and treatment to avoid this.

Conclusion

Raynaud syndrome is not a critical medical condition. It is manageable with some treatment and prevention. However, proper prevention is a must as it may affect your normal lifestyle if blood circulation gets hampered. You need to understand the symptoms, and triggers, and take the necessary treatment options to live a better lifestyle. Consult your nearest healthcare provider for more treatment options.