Raynaud's Disease 101 - My Several Worlds

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Two Decades of Writing. Sharing Helps Me Out

Raynaud’s Disease causes smaller blood vessels that supply blood to the skin to narrow or constrict. It affects blood from circulating properly thereby causing some areas of the body to turn blue or purple and to feel numb and cold. It is classified as a problem with the heart and blood vessels.

Most people notice it in their fingers and toes. However it can also cause less blood flow in the ears, feet, nipples, knees, and nose. Triggers are cold temperatures and stress.

Raynaud’s affects between 3% and 20% around the world. Its prevalence varies by country, sex, and exposure to vibrations.

Women are more likely than men to have Raynaud’s disease. It seems to be more common in people who live in colder climates. But I live in subtropical Taiwan, so it also affects people living in warm countries.

I’m writing about Raynauds because I suffer from it. Providing plain language summaries for my readers each year is something that I enjoy doing. Here at My Several Worlds, I provide as much information as possible for autoimmune patients.

Secondary Raynaud’s

As I’ve mentioned, I suffer from Raynaud’s related to autoimmune diseases. Raynaud’s can often be a symptom of an autoimmune disorder.

It’s called Secondary Raynaud’s when it’s associated with autoimmune diseases and disorders such as lupus or scleroderma.

Raynaud’s disease isn’t disabling, but it can affect your quality of life.

Causes of secondary Raynaud’s include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Certain medicines. These include beta blockers for high blood pressure, some migraine medicines, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medicines, certain cancer medicines and some cold medicines.

Connective tissue diseases such as Axial Spondyloarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s Disease , and Lupus are known autoimmune diseases that are seen with Raynaud’s. People who suffer from Scleroderma, a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin, are also at risk.

Diseases of the blood vessels

Injuries to the hands or feet such as breaks, surgeries, and frostbite

Repeated actions or vibration. Typing, playing piano or doing movements such as these examples for long periods can cause overuse injuries. Vibrating tools can also be an issue.

Smoking

When our small blood vessels become narrow or constrict, blood flow to the affected is limited. This is called vasospasm.

However, if we are informed and we can manage what’s happening, you can make things a lot better for yourself. Being informed is always the first step!

Other names for this condition are:

Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Raynaud syndrome

Treatment of Raynaud’s disease depends on two factors. Medical professionals will determine how bad it is. They will also consider whether you have other health conditions.

My fingertips and feet often go stark white, blue, or bright red. You’ll feel cold and numbness in the affected areas. My Reynaud’s is secondary to AxSpA and PsA. But the most likely suspect for me is my sticky blood diagnosis called APS. It’s known as Antiphospholipid Syndrome and it causes my blood to form clots easily.

The diseases most often linked with Raynaud’s are autoimmune or connective tissue diseases.

With Cyanosis

The blue areas (cyanosis) at the tips of the fingers are caused by decreased oxygen in the blood because of sluggish blood flow due to partial narrowing of the blood vessels.

With Pallor

Lighter areas (pallor) are caused by absence of blood flow due to narrowing of blood vessels. The white areas develop irregularly in the fingers.

With Sores on Fingers

Some patients develop sores with blue fingertips (cyanosis) due to Raynaud syndrome. It should go without saying that if you have open sores on your digits with discolored skin, see a doctor!

The best ways to try and prevent it is by staying warm, don’t smoke, and avoid trauma or vibrations to the hand.

Some patients take blood pressure medicines during the winter months to help reduce constriction of the blood vessels.

February is Reynaud’s Awareness Month

Raynaud’s Awareness Month raises awareness about Raynaud’s Disease. If you suffer from Raynaud’s, you are not alone. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or, even better, leave a comment.