Have you experienced a feeling where your hands are strange?
That’s when your fingers have turned pale to almost white after holding something cold from the fridge.
You might be wondering if it’s just because your hands are cold. But it’s not.
They turned bluish, but when they warmed up again, the bright red appeared with a prickling sensation.
This is no other than the Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Knowing about Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Raynaud’s Disease is essential for you to maintain good health. Here’s what they are:
What is Raynaud’s Phenomenon?
This phenomenon occurs when your tiny blood vessels are tightened, and the blood flow is reduced to certain areas of your body.
Your toes, fingers, nose, or ears are the usual affected parts for this phenomenon.
Due to the decrease in blood flow, the skin may also experience color changes. Each colors have a meaning that you must take note of:
- Red – Blow flow is normal
- Blue – Decrease in oxygen levels
- White – Dropping blood flow
When someone has Raynaud’s, they can be triggered by both stress and cold temperatures. That’s why some who have it may experience episodes that last for a minute to 15.
Comparing Raynaud’s Disease and Raynaud’s Phenomenon
You may often hear the terms like Raynaud’s Disease and Raynaud’s Phenomenon, but they have bigger differences from each other.
Raynaud’s Disease, or Primary Raynaud’s, is a condition that shows mild symptoms. Although its main cause is unknown, it can be managed through lifestyle changes.
On the other hand, Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Secondary Raynaud’s is a type of autoimmune disease that forms because of other medical conditions.
Medical complications like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus can cause the formation of Secondary Raynaud’s.
Medical professionals would recommend that you have an early check-up if symptoms appear.
The Feeling of a Raynaud’s Episode
Someone who experiences an episode of Raynaud’s attack may feel uncomfortable and unusual.
They may feel symptoms that may take typically a minute or so.
The attack would disappear once your body starts to warm up. It would become frequent, especially in the colder seasons.
Here are some of the common symptoms that one may feel during a Raynaud’s attack:
- Prickling sensation
- Pale or bluish skin
- Throbbing when blood circulation is restored
- Numbing and cold toes and fingers.
Why Does it Happen?
In a normal situation, your blood flow will adjust to regulate your body’s temperature.
This is because your blood vessels tend to be slightly narrowed to conserve body heat when exposed to a cold environment.
If you have Raynaud’s, the body’s reaction would be stronger.
The small arteries would tremendously tighten themselves, blocking your blood flow.
Due to the condition’s inconclusiveness, medical experts believed that such a reaction is due to how an individual’s brain may react to stress or a cold environment.
More Likely to Experience Raynaud’s
Here are some factors that show who is more likely to experience Raynaud’s:
- Common to women
- People between the ages of 15 and 30 years old.
- Family history
- Mostly employees of construction companies.
- Someone who has an autoimmune disease.
People who have Raynaud’s are sensitive to either stress, a cold environment, or both.
Although the symptoms are common, people usually don’t know that they have it.
Ways to Reduce Raynaud’s Episodes
Some lifestyle adjustments are necessary to reduce the frequency of Raynaud’s attacks in the future. Medical professionals approve the following acts:
- Stay warm during cold weather.
- Manage your stress by having some time to relax.
- Quit smoking
- Move a lot
- Place your hands in warm water.
Need for a Doctor’s Checkup
When your Raynaud’s are getting consistent, it’s time to schedule a medical checkup.
Especially if you experience the following:
- Attacks are associated with feelings of discomfort.
- Symptoms suddenly appear
- One side of your body is affected by the episodes.
- Skin damage or sores appear on your toes or fingers.
The Cold and Stress Bothers You, Anyway
Raynaud’s Disease and Phenomenon taught us how critical the blood flow is to our body.
It also teaches us that stress and a cold environment can affect our body’s response.
Avoid what can trigger your body, and adjust your lifestyle to a healthier one.
Your body is more dramatic than you can imagine.
Hence, take care of it and pay attention to the sudden changes.