It is time to be proactive if you have Reynaud’s disease. It is still pretty hot outside with still a few months to go before colder temperatures come upon us.
So, symptoms may not be much to speak of right now. However, wearing ear muffs and gloves as well as warming the nose by blowing into the hands will be expected behavior.
When do the normal things we do cross over the line and become a symptom of a medical condition?
Some people have more trouble than others with very painful and cold fingertips and noses.
The medical condition is called Reynaud’s disease or sometimes Reynaud’s Syndrome. An easy way to remember is that this is pronounced like one of the body parts affected, “ray-nose.”
Medicine isn’t sure what the underlying cause is that makes some people much more uncomfortable than others.
We do know the immediate cause is the blood vessels spasm and get smaller, reducing arterial blood flow to fingertips, the nose or toes. This can happen all year long with those sensitive being unable to hold cold beverages in the summer and experiencing misery in the winter. Body parts affected can turn white or even blue and when blood flow improves back to red with swelling and throbbing pain.
While certain diseases can be associated with Reynaud’s and should be ruled out by your MD, most people have the simple type.
Some medicines can make the symptoms worse such as amphetamines for drying up runny noses, certain beta blockers for lowering blood pressure, some cancer drugs and certain medications for treating migraines.
Cigarette smoking is a known way of making the situation worse. People who smoke may be anxious and this can kick off an event, too. There is a handful of natural supplements that have science backing use. I like a combination of supplements to attend to differing levels of care.
Pycnogenol attends to the rheumatic (immune) contribution while fish oils thin blood safely (improving flow) and reduce inflammation. The type of niacin that causes a flushing sensation of the face and arms does indeed open up the little blood vessels warming everything. A good fish oil not only is the traditional supplement but additionally has science supporting its use.
Finally, L-arginine and Agmatine Sulfate fills the bill, as well, by dilating vessels to the painfully cold tips. If the person with Reynaud’s is anxious or depressed certain supplements can help with their wellbeing, excellently.
Being a southerner, I’ve not experienced the pain of frostbite and I don’t want to. People describe the pain of Reynaud’s as similar to frostbite. I can only imagine the ache/pain Reynaud’s can cause but we can help.
