Medication
Nov 22, 2021 · To date, there is no medication that eliminates Raynaud’s attacks, but there are some medications that decrease their severity or frequency. The standard medication offered severe Raynaud’s sufferers is in the family of calcium channel blockers. These drugs work to open or dilate the blood vessels so the blood circulates more freely.
Procedures
If you have severe Raynaud’s phenomenon, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a sympathectomy to destroy the nerves that trigger blood vessel narrowing in the affected areas. This is usually done by incision or injections. The procedure often relieves symptoms, but it may need to be repeated after a few years. Treating Tissue Damage
Self-care
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that causes the blood vessels in the extremities to narrow, restricting blood flow. The episodes or “attacks” usually affect the fingers and toes. In rare cases, attacks occur in other areas such as the ears or nose. An attack usually happens from exposure to cold or emotional stress.
Nutrition
Nov 17, 2021 · Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the first-line medication for the treatment of Raynaud’s disease. These medications, such as amlodipine and nifedipine, work by relaxing blood vessel muscles. Your doctor may try other blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor inhibitors ( losartan ), or alpha-blockers (prazosin).
See more
Dec 30, 2019 · When the above drugs aren’t enough, what are the treatment options for severe Raynaud’s sufferers? The article lists the following: Sympathetic Nerve Block Injections Botox ® Injections (still experimental and not clinically proven) Surgical Sympathectomies Spinal Cord Stimulation (a new one we haven’t heard before)
What is Raynaud's disease and how is it treated?
Nov 06, 2020 · Primary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's disease, this most common form isn't the result of an associated medical condition. It can be so mild that many people with primary Raynaud's don't seek treatment. And it can resolve on its own. Secondary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's phenomenon, this form is caused by an underlying problem.
Are there any natural treatment for Raynaud's disease?
How is Raynaud’s treated? The goals of treatment are to reduce the severity of attacks and to prevent tissue damage and loss in the fingers and toes. Doctors may prescribe medications for some patients - usually those with Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon; however, doctors most often prescribe non-drug treatments.
How to treat Raynaud's naturally?
There is no cure for Raynaud’s phenomenon, but it can be managed with proper treatment. Treatment may include: Avoiding exposure to cold Keeping warm with gloves, socks, scarf, and a hat Stopping smoking Wearing finger guards over fingers with sores Avoiding trauma or vibrations to the hand (such as with vibrating tools)
What does medication work for Raynaud's disease?
Feb 27, 2022 · Nutritional Supplements Some older research had suggested that taking essential fatty acid supplements may be mildly effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon. 4 And vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) was also thought to benefit people with Raynaud's since the nutrient causes blood vessels to dilate and stimulates circulation to the skin.
See more
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.Nov 23, 2020
How Serious Is Raynaud's disease?
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.Nov 23, 2021
What to avoid if you have Raynaud's disease?
Raynaud's disease treatmentReduce exposure to the cold or extreme temperature changes. ... Wear extra warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold.Quit smoking.Limit caffeine and alcohol.Exercise to increase blood flow, especially for primary Raynaud's disease.Avoid wearing clothing or jewelry that is too tight.Jul 25, 2019
Can you get rid of 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.
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 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.Feb 3, 2015
What vitamins are good for Raynaud's?
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. ... 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.Jun 2, 2016
Does drinking water help Raynaud's?
Beta-blocker medicines, often used to treat high blood pressure, also can make Raynaud's worse. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can lower the amount of blood moving through the blood vessels.
How can I improve circulation in Raynaud's?
Things you can do to help Raynaud'skeep your home warm.wear warm clothes during cold weather, especially on your hands and feet.exercise regularly – this helps improve circulation.try breathing exercises or yoga to help you relax.eat a healthy, balanced diet.
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.
What is the main cause of Raynaud's disease?
Exposure to cold, such as putting your hands in cold water, taking something from a freezer or being in cold air, is the most likely trigger. For some people, emotional stress can trigger an episode.Nov 6, 2020
What medications make raynauds worse?
What medications make Raynauds worse? Patients with Raynaud's should avoid medications that constrict blood vessels, including migraine medications (ergotamine and triptans), over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, diet aids, beta-blockers, and birth control pills.Nov 17, 2021
What is Raynaud's phenomenon?
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disease that affects your blood vessels. There are two forms of Raynaud’s phenomenon: Primary and secondary. The form of Raynaud’s phenomenon you have affects the symptoms you have. Symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon can vary from mild to severe. Most people have mild symptoms.
When does Raynaud's disease start?
The primary form of Raynaud’s often starts between the ages of 15 and 25. It is most common in: Women. People living in cold places. The secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon usually starts after the ages of 35 to 40.
How long does a Raynaud's attack last?
An attack usually lasts a few minutes. In some people, it may last more than an hour. The symptoms of the primary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon usually begin between the ages of 15 and 25. The symptoms of the secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon usually start after the ages of 35 to 40.
How does Raynaud's phenomenon affect blood vessels?
In people with Raynaud’s phenomenon, blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to overreact to cold temperatures or stress. They narrow and limit blood supply.
Is Raynaud's disease more serious than primary?
It is the more common form of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is caused by another health condition. Secondary Raynaud's phenome non is less common but more serious than the primary form of the disease .
Who is more likely to develop Raynaud's phenomenon?
In addition, people with certain jobs may be more likely to develop the secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon: People who are around certain chemicals. People who use tools that vibrate, such as a jackhammer. Some research suggests that Raynaud’s phenomenon runs in certain families, but more research is needed.
Can Raynaud's phenomenon be prevented?
There are treatments to prevent or control the symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon. There is no way to prevent Raynaud’s phenomenon, but you can prevent an attack.
How to prevent Raynaud's attacks?
Wear warm clothing indoors. Keeping the entire body warm is a proven way to reduce the frequency and severity of Raynaud’s attacks. Wear warm clothing indoors. In the summertime, be ready to put on clothing before entering an air-conditioned building; the cold shock might trigger an attack.
How long does a Raynaud's attack last?
Raynaud’s attacks typically hold on longer than they do with normal cold responses. The white or blue phase of a Raynaud’s attack typically lasts for 20 minutes. In more severe cases, attacks can last for hours after the triggering event.
What age does primary Raynaud's occur?
Called primary Raynaud’s, this vasospasm condition is mild, often temporary, and not a health threat. Primary Raynaud’s usually begins between the ages of 15 to 25, primarily affects women, and is treated with lifestyle changes to keep the body warm and avoid triggers.
What is the name of the disease that shuts down blood flow to the fingers, toes, and sometimes ears
Raynaud’s disease (or Raynaud’s phenomenon) is an exaggerated cold response. The body shuts down blood flow to the fingers, toes, or sometimes ears, nose, or nipples when the body is exposed to cold or stress that would not normally provoke a cold response. Raynaud’s is very common, but not exactly a household name.
Can Raynaud's disease be cured?
A primary care physician can treat primary Raynaud, but secondary Raynaud’s will typically be treated by a rheumatologist. Neither primary nor secondary Raynaud’s can be cured, however, so treatment will be focused on limiting the frequency and severity of attacks.
Is Raynaud's disease more serious than secondary Raynaud's disease?
Secondary Raynaud’s is typically more serious. Attacks are more frequent, more severe, longer-lasting, and could cause sores, scars, and other tissue damage such as gangrene. For all these reasons, a physician needs to track down the underlying cause.
Is Raynaud's a scleroderma?
Most commonly, Raynaud’s is the first manifestation of systemic scleroderma, a connective tissue disease similar to rheumatism. But Raynaud’s can be caused by a wide variety of various conditions and diseases. Raynaud’s, then, is less a diagnosis than a mystery to be solved.
What are the best treatments for Raynaud's disease?
When the above drugs aren’t enough, what are the treatment options for severe Raynaud’s sufferers? The article lists the following: 1 Sympathetic Nerve Block Injections 2 Botox ® Injections (still experimental and not clinically proven) 3 Surgical Sympathectomies 4 Spinal Cord Stimulation (a new one we haven’t heard before)
Can Raynaud's be treated?
The above treatment options for severe Raynaud’s won’t be needed for most sufferers, but it’s good to know there are alternatives for those who require more than the standard medication s.
Can you treat Raynaud's disease with lifestyle issues?
For most people living with Raynaud’s, they have the primary form which can often be addressed with lifestyle issues. But for those with more severe symptoms, particularly ...
How to prevent Raynaud's attacks?
Prevention. To help prevent Raynaud's attacks: Bundle up outdoors. When it's cold, don a hat, scarf, socks and boots, and two layers of mittens or gloves before you go outside. Wear a coat with snug cuffs to go around your mittens or gloves, to prevent cold air from reaching your hands. Also use chemical hand warmers.
How long does it take for Raynaud's to heal?
After you warm up, the return of normal blood flow to the area can take 15 minutes.
What diseases affect the arteries of the lungs?
These include a buildup of plaques in blood vessels that feed the heart, a disorder in which the blood vessels of the hands and feet become inflamed, and a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs. Carpal tunnel syndrome.
What causes secondary Raynaud's?
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. Diseases of the arteries.
Is secondary Raynaud's more common than primary Raynaud's?
Although secondary Raynaud's is less common than the primary form, it tends to be more serious. Signs and symptoms of secondary Raynaud's usually appear around age 40, later than they do for primary Raynaud's. Causes of secondary Raynaud's include: Connective tissue diseases.
Is Raynaud's disease disabling?
Treatment of Raynaud's disease depends on its severity and whether you have other health conditions. For most people, Raynaud's disease isn't disabling, but it can affect your quality of life.
Is Raynaud's disease a secondary disease?
Also called Raynaud's disease, this most common form isn't the result of an associated medical condition. It can be so mild that many people with primary Raynaud's don't seek treatment. And it can resolve on its own. Secondary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's phenomenon, this form is caused by an underlying problem.
What to do if a doctor suspects Raynaud's phenomenon?
If a doctor suspects Raynaud’s phenomenon, he or she will thoroughly evaluate the patient’s medical history and perform a complete physical exam to rule out other medical problems. Often, it is fairly easy to diagnose Raynaud’s, but more difficult to identify the form of the disorder.
What is Raynaud's phenomenon?
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon? Raynaud’s phenomenon (also called Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s syndrome) is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers and toes. Blood vessels in the nose, lips or ear lobes may also be affected.
How does Raynaud's disease affect the fingers?
Some of these diseases reduce blood flow to the fingers and toes by causing the blood vessel walls to thicken and the vessels to constrict too easily . Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs in about 85 to 95 percent of patients with scleroderma and is present in about one-third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
What causes Raynaud's syndrome?
Other possible causes of secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon include: Traumatic vasospasm from vibrating tools or repeated pounding with the palm of the hand (hyothenar hammer syndrome) Carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is secondary Raynaud's?
Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Less common than the primary form, however, secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon is often a more serious disorder. Secondary Raynaud’s is caused by an underlying disease or condition. It is especially common in people with connective tissue diseases. Some of these diseases reduce blood flow to the fingers ...
What is the most common type of Raynaud's disease?
Also known as Raynaud’s disease, primary Raynaud’s phenomenon is the most common and the milder of the two types. A person who has primary Raynaud’s has no other diseases or associated medical problems that may cause Raynaud’s symptoms. About 75 percent of all cases of primary Raynaud’ s phenomenon are diagnosed in women between ages 15 and 40.
How old is the primary Raynaud's disease?
About 75 percent of all cases of primary Raynaud’s phenomenon are diagnosed in women between ages 15 and 40. People with the primary form rarely develop the other diseases associated with Raynaud’s such as lupus or scleroderma.
How to treat Raynaud's disease?
There is no cure for Raynaud’s phenomenon, but it can be managed with proper treatment. Treatment may include: Avoiding exposure to cold. Keeping warm with gloves, socks, scarf, and a hat.
How to tell if you have Raynaud's?
Symptoms of Raynaud’s include fingers that turn pale or white then blue when exposed to cold, or during stress or emotional upset. They then red when the hands are warmed. Managing Raynaud’s includes avoiding cold, dressing warmly, and stopping smoking.
Why does Raynaud's phenomenon occur?
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. In some cases, it also causes less blood flow to the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose. This happens due to spasms of blood vessels in those areas. The spasms happen in response to cold, stress, or emotional upset. Raynaud’s can occur on its own, known as primary ...
What age do you get Raynaud's phenomenon?
Your healthcare provider may also look at the tiny blood vessels in your fingernails with a microscope. Adults who start to have Raynaud’s phenomenon after age 35 may be tested for an underlying disease.
What age does Raynaud's disease start?
The primary form of Raynaud’s is the most common type. It often begins between ages 15 and 25.
Can you live with Raynaud's?
Living with Raynaud’s phenomenon. For most people living with Raynaud’s, it is more of an inconvenience than a serious problem. Avoiding triggers, primarily cold, can reduce the spasms that lead to symptoms. If there is an underlying cause, such as scleroderma or lupus, it may be more difficult to manage attacks.
What supplements can help with Raynaud's?
Some older research had suggested that taking essential fatty acid supplements may be mildly effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon. 4 And vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) was also thought to benefit people with Raynaud's since the nutrient causes blood vessels to dilate and stimulates circulation to the skin.
What are the other diseases associated with Raynaud's syndrome?
In some cases (known as "secondary Raynaud's"), the syndrome is associated with other conditions or lifestyle issues, including: Atherosclerosis. Buerger's disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Connect ive tissue diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. Repeated injury.
Why do people with Raynaud's have a constricting blood vessel?
Scientists have yet to determine why the blood vessels of people with Raynaud's tend to spasm and constrict in response to cold temperatures and stress. However, the condition appears to be more common among women, as well as people who live in colder climates and/or have a family history of Raynaud's. 2
Why does Raynaud's disease turn white?
Raynaud's Symptoms. Although symptoms vary from person to person, Raynaud's typically causes the affected body parts to turn white, then blue, in response to stress or exposure to cold. An attack can last a few minutes to more than an hour.
Does biofeedback help with Raynaud's disease?
Although some practitioners encourage using biofeedback to help control body temperature and lessen the severity and frequency of Raynaud's attacks, a research review published in 2009 concluded that biofeedback does not work for Raynaud's disease. 3 .
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Alternative Medicine
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. Your doctor might also order tests to rule out other medical problems that can cause similar signs and symptoms.