What is Raynaud's disease?

In winter everyone has cold hands sometimes. But some people suffer from this a lot. They often have Raynaud's disease.

In Raynaud's, the blood flow to the hands and feet is insufficient. The fingers first turn white and then blue. When warmed up they become bright red again. This usually occurs with a sudden cold, but sometimes it can also start without any cause.

If there is no underlying cause for the cold hands and feet, it is called Raynaud's disease. If there is an underlying problem, it is called Raynaud's "phenomenon". This is often accompanied by an autoimmune or connective tissue disorder such as scleroderma. Smoking and using the pill or beta-blockers increase the risk of an attack. Workers who work with vibrating tools for long periods of time also have a higher risk.

The treatment mainly consists of keeping the limbs warm, for example by wearing gloves. Medications that open the blood vessels can also help

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20363571

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-02 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024