Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for raynaud's

by Thomas Berge Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Many health care professionals believe that the most effective and safest drugs are calcium- channel blockers, which relax smooth muscles and dilate the small blood vessels. These drugs decrease the frequency and severity of attacks in about two-thirds of patients who have Primary or Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.Aug 14, 2019

Medication

Nov 22, 2021 · Most experts agree the best way to handle Raynaud’s is to avoid cold temperatures and stress. Such avoidance measures, obviously, are not always practical. 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 …

Procedures

Treatment of Raynaud’s Phenomenon Medications. While there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Raynaud’s phenomenon,... Surgery. If you have severe Raynaud’s phenomenon, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a sympathectomy to...

Self-care

Dec 30, 2019 · 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)

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).

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Feb 27, 2022 · Natural Remedies Biofeedback. In biofeedback training, people learn how to consciously influence the body's vital functions (including... Nutritional Supplements. Some older research had suggested that taking essential fatty acid supplements may be mildly... Ginkgo Biloba. Another natural remedy ...

What is the best treatment for Reynauds?

Mar 17, 2022 · What Is The Best Treatment For Raynaud’S? In healthcare, doctors recommend calcium- channel blockers since they are very effective and safe. They release smooth muscles and dilate small blood vessels at the same time.More than two-thirds of patients suffering from primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon are less likely to suffer from attacks.

How to cure Raynaud's disease naturally?

Which calcium channel blockers for raynaud’s disease? 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 …

Are there any natural treatment for Raynaud's disease?

Nov 06, 2020 · 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... Warm your car. Run your car heater for a few minutes before driving in cold weather. Take precautions indoors. Wear socks. When taking food ...

What kind of Doctor treats Raynauds?

Vitamin E is known to improve blood circulation. In cases of Raynaud’s where the cause was exposure to vibration in machinery, it is believed to reduce the symptoms to a great extent. Vitamin E is a plant based vitamin. Some of the cooking oils, nuts and seeds are exceptionally rich in Vitamin E. Listed below are the best sources of Vitamin E-

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What is the best medication for Raynaud?

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

What medications should be avoided with Raynaud's?

People who experience Raynaud's should avoid medicines which reduce blood flow to the peripheries, such as: Serotonin receptor agonists, e.g triptans used to treat migraines. Ergots (Claviceps fungi derivatives), e.g. ergotamine used to treat migraines. Clonidine (which decreases cardiac output)

How do you get rid of Raynaud's fast?

To widen blood vessels and increase blood flow, your doctor might prescribe: 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.Nov 6, 2020

Can you reverse Raynaud's?

Although there is no cure for Raynaud's, it can be treated. The key to managing Raynaud's symptoms is to try to prevent an attack - planning ahead is vital.Mar 31, 2021

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 Raynaud's ever go away?

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 aggravates Raynaud's?

Cold temperatures, smoking, and stress aggravate Raynaud's phenomenon. You can help reduce the number of attacks and improve your overall health by following these tips from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The ACR also advises those with Raynaud's to pay special attention to their hands and feet.Mar 2, 2016

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.

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.

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.

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 is the difference between Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's syndrome?

Primary Raynaud's(or Raynaud's disease) happens without any other illness behind it. The symptoms are often mild. 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.Aug 23, 2021

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.

What are the lifestyle changes for Raynaud's disease?

These include avoiding cold, wearing warmer clothing, exercising, and managing stress.

Why do my fingers feel numb?

The small arteries, called arterioles, in the fingers and toes are narrow to begin with, so there’s not much room left when they constrict. Blood flow through the arterioles becomes blocked (ischemia), causing the fingers or toes to get white, numb, and feel like they’re being stuck with pins and needles.

What happens when you forget your gloves?

Everyone knows what happens when we forget our gloves in freezing cold weather. Our fingers quickly get cold, white, and numb. This is normal—the body closes off the blood flow to the extremities to conserve heat. Suppose, however, it happens when reaching into a freezer or walking into an air-conditioned room.

How many people have a syphilis?

About one in twenty Americans have the condition, but the incidence may be as high as one in five among women. For many, the condition is little more than a nuisance. For others, however, it can substantially interfere with daily life and even represent a health threat.

Why do my fingers turn red?

When the fingers are warmed up, the blood flows back, turning the fingers bright red. These effects are also the symptoms of Raynaud’s, except, rather than being provoked by extreme cold, this cold response can be triggered by an air-conditioned room or picking up an iced tea. Cold isn’t even necessary.

What is secondary raynauds?

Secondary Raynaud’s is a manifestation of other medical conditions, and this is where the story gets more complex. 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.

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.

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.

What is biofeedback training?

In biofeedback training, people learn how to consciously influence the body's vital functions (including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure) with the help of relaxation techniques and information feedback delivered by specialized electronic devices.

How effective is nifedipine?

After treatment for eight weeks, nifedipine was found to be more effective at reducing the number of attacks , with improvement in those taking nifedipine at 50.1%, compared to 31.0% in those taking ginkgo.

Who is Cathy Wong?

Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Rochelle Collins, DO, is a board-certified family medicine doctor currently practicing in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

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 .

Is Verywell Health peer reviewed?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles . Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

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.

What are the risk factors for Raynaud's disease?

Risk factors for secondary Raynaud's include: Associated diseases. These include conditions such as scleroderma and lupus.

What is the disease that causes blood vessels to narrow?

In Raynaud's disease , smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin become narrow, limiting blood flow to affected areas (vasospasm). Women are more likely than men to have Raynaud's disease , also known as Raynaud's or Raynaud's phenomenon or syndrome. It appears to be more common in people who live in colder climates.

Why does my skin turn white?

Color changes in your skin in response to cold or stress. During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of your skin usually first turn white. Then, they often turn blue and feel cold and numb. As you warm and your circulation improves, the affected areas may turn red, throb, tingle or swell.

What causes a person's arteries to narrow?

Symptoms. 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. Signs and symptoms of Raynaud's disease include: ...

Can Raynaud's cause tissue damage?

Complications. If secondary Raynaud's is severe — which is rare — reduced blood flow to your fingers or toes could cause tissue damage. A completely blocked artery can lead to sores (skin ulcers) or dead tissue, both of which can be difficult to treat.

What does it mean when your hands turn white?

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. Signs and symptoms of Raynaud's disease include: Color changes in your skin in response to cold or stress. During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of your skin usually first turn white.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment aims at reducing the severity and duration of attacks, and treat the underlying cause. Warm clothing is effective in preventing mild symptoms.
Medication

Calcium channel blockers: These widen little veins in hands and feet, diminishing the recurrence and seriousness of attacks.

Nifedipine . Amlodipine


Alpha blockers: Balance the activities of norepinephrine, a hormone that contracts veins.

Prazosin . Doxazosin


Vasodilators: Relax the blood vessels.

Nitroglycerin


Sedatives/neurotoxin: Injections to block sympathetic nerves in the affected hands or feet.

Onabotulinum toxin A

Procedures

Nerve surgery: Sympathetic nerves are removed to reduce the unintended response.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Keep body warm. Protect limb ends from direct cold surfaces.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Vitamin B rich foods
  • Omega 3 fatty acids e.g. Fish oil
  • Calcium and magnesium rich foods
  • Vitamin E rich foods

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Rheumatologist
Specializes in the treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, pain disorders affecting joints, and osteoporosis.
Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

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.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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