Reynaud’s syndrome

Reynaud Related to the Blood Supply

Reynaud or Reynaud’s syndrome is a condition which affects the blood supply to certain areas of the body, especially the fingers and toes. The condition takes place when the blood vessels get into temporary spasm which blocks the flow of the blood causing the affected areas to change color to white, then blue and then red as the flow of the blood returns to normal. It is often caused by cold temperature or due to stress or anxiety. The person suffering from Raynaud may experience pain, numbness and the sensation of pins and needles in the affected areas and the symptoms may last for a few minutes to several hours. Though this ailment is not serious it could tend to be difficult to live with it, since it makes simple movements of the fingers difficult. Many times, people suffering from Raynaud often go on for long period without any symptoms and at times the condition also tend to go away altogether.

Common Causes – Stress and Cold

Taking certain type of medicines and stress may lead to an attack but the most common cause is exposure to cold. In cold condition, the body tends to narrow the small blood vessels to the skin and open them on the inner side of the body to keep the body warm. But in this case, the body overreacts restricting the blood flow through the small vessel to the skin. In most cases, the symptoms can be controlled by avoiding the cold, wearing gloves and using relaxation skills when faced with this ailment. Quitting smoking is one form of helping to improve the symptoms since smoking can affect the circulation of the blood. If unable to control the symptoms, mediation is recommended and the person needs to visit the physician.

Primary and Secondary Raynaud

There are two types of Raynaud’s phenomenon – Primary Raynaud and Secondary Raynaud. Primary Raynaud is also known as Raynaud’s disease, the most common form which occurs on its own or when the condition develops on its own, while Secondary Raynaud also known as Raynaud’s sundrome which often forms as part of another disease in other words develops in association with another health condition. In most cases of Secondary Raynaud, it is associated with condition which may cause the immune system to affect the healthy tissue – autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, when the immune system may affect the joints resulting in pain and swelling, lupus – when the immune system affect various parts of the body.

Severe Cases Leading to Gangrene

During the attack the body limits the flow of the blood to the hands and feet making them feel cold and numb leading it to change color from white to blue and back to red after which the person may experience a throbbing sensation that could be painful. In some rare cases, Raynaud may also affect the nose or the ears. Very often people with Raynaud disease do not have long term tissue damage or disability though those who suffer from severe problem may tend to develop skin sores or gangrene from prolonged or repeated Raynaud attacks. Since `gangrene’, relates to decay of body tissues, people should take precautions and aid to improve the symptoms