Raynaud's Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Symptoms

The major symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome or rain disease are:

• Skin discolouration:

Due to lack of blood supply, skin in the affected area may turn pale and white or bluish.

• Numbness:

Continuous spasms due to lack of blood flow to the area may cause numbness and a tingling sensation.

• Pain:

Some people may find the condition quite painful. They may experience pain and discomfort due to pinprick or needle prick sensations.

• Cold:

The skin in the affected area may turn extremely cold, and you may also experience spasms in those areas.

Triggers

According to researchers, Raynaud’s syndrome may arise from certain triggers, such as:

• Exposure to cold, rainy, or damp weather

• Exposure to a cold ambience, such as an air-conditioned room

• Stressful life events or situations

• Depression

• Sound of the rains

• Certain chemicals

Causes

The actual cause of Raynaud’s syndrome is still not very clear, but researchers believe that a sudden vasomotor response is the root cause of this condition. When you are in a cold ambience, your body tries to conserve as much heat as possible. To do so, your body slows down the rate of blood flow to the extremities, which are far away from your heart. As a result, the small arteries carrying blood to those areas start narrowing down and moving away from the skin. This slows down the speed of blood flow to those areas and results in Raynaud’s syndrome.

Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon

Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that occurs when Raynaud's phenomenon is associated with another disease or environmental exposure. Secondary Raynaud’s Disease may be caused by the following factors:

• Health conditions like scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, atherosclerosis, Buerger’s disease, primary pulmonary hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome

• Certain medications prescribed for ailments such as migraine, high blood pressure, ADHD, and chemotherapy drugs and OTC medicines for cough and cold

• Injuries to the hands and feet due to surgeries, frostbites, or fractures

• The habit of smoking

Risk factors

• Age:

People between the ages of 15 and 30 are more prone to developing this ailment.

• Family History:

People who have a family history of this disorder are more likely to get it.

• Climate:

People living in places with cold climatic conditions are more likely to get Raynaud’s syndrome.

In case of secondary Raynaud’s syndrome, the risk factors are:

• Age:

People beyond the age of 35 are more likely to get secondary Raynaud’s disease.

• Illnesses:

People suffering from diseases like scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis are more likely to get secondary Raynaud’s disease.

• Medications:

People who take medicines for hypertension, migraine, or cancer are at the highest risk of getting this condition.

• Certain Occupations:

People involved in professions such as tailors or barbers who do repetitive actions with their hands, like sewing or using scissors, are more likely to develop this disorder. Additionally, those using vibrating tools like jackhammers at work are prone to developing this ailment.

Treatment

The treatment of Raynaud’s disease depends on the severity of the condition. If it is secondary Raynaud’s syndrome, simply treating the underlying health issue can bring relief.

In most cases, lifestyle changes are adequate to treat the problem. However, people who are still uncomfortable with the frequent attacks of Raynaud’s disease might consider the following treatment options:

1. Medications:

Raynaud’s syndrome can be managed through medications. With the use of medications including calcium channel blockers & vasodilators, the symptoms may be managed to a large extent.

2. Surgical Interventiono:

Severing the small nerves around blood vessels can reduce the frequency of Raynaud’s syndrome attacks as these tiny nerves are responsible for dilating or constricting the blood vessels abruptly.

3. Injections:

Taking Botox injections can prevent the blood vessels from constricting by blocking the nerves in the affected area.

Link Between Raynaud’s Disease & Monsoon

In monsoon climates, fluctuating temperatures and increased humidity can trigger or exacerbate Raynaud’s attack. Humidity can affect the way your body responds to temperature changes, and in some cases, it might make it harder for people with Raynaud’s to manage their symptoms.

However, the relationship can be complex and might vary depending on individual sensitivities & local climate specifics.

FAQs

1. What lifestyle measures can you adopt to prevent Raynaud’s Syndrome?

Follow the tips listed below to prevent being diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome —

• Avoid smoking: Smoking can lead to the constriction of blood vessels and lower the temperature of your skin. Therefore, you must avoid smoking to reduce the attacks of Raynaud’s Syndrome.

• Stress management: Stress can worsen the condition. Therefore, follow relaxation techniques like listening to music, going for a relaxing body massage, and practising meditation.

• Maintain ambient temperature consistency: Always avoid moving quickly and abruptly from a cold space to a warm place and vice versa. Such abrupt changes in temperature may trigger the syndrome.

• Exercise regularly: Staying physically fit and exercising regularly can improve your blood circulation and help manage the issue to a large extent.

2. How long does a Raynaud’s syndrome attack last?

The attack lasts for only a couple of minutes, but in some cases, it may even last for two to three hours.

3. Which foods can relieve the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease?

Omega-3 fatty acids-rich foods (like flaxseeds, oily fish, walnuts, and chia seeds) can have an anti-inflammatory impact on your body, improving your blood circulation and delaying the start of vasoconstriction in people with Raynaud's syndrome.

4. How to get instant relief from Raynaud’s syndrome?

The moment you feel an attack, hold your affected area under running warm water to get instant relief from the condition.

5. When should you see a doctor regarding Raynaud’s disease?

If the symptoms of the disorder persist and worsen over time, and if the symptoms affect only one side of the body, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.