In winter, when severe and strong cold continues, cold hands and feet frequently occur. When the degree of cold hands and feet is severe, it is often thought of as cold hands and feet caused by a decrease in blood supply to the peripheral part due to the constriction of capillaries. However, if the skin changes color as well as the cold feeling in the hands and feet, and it is accompanied by sensory abnormalities such as numbness and pain, it is possible to suspect the occurrence of Raynaud’s syndrome. Raynaud’s syndrome refers to a disease in which blood vessels in the fingers and toes are contracted sparingly due to psychological factors such as strong cold or stress, and the skin tone changes.
If the cause of Raynaud’s syndrome is primary, it occurs without any specific underlying disease. It is known that the sympathetic nerve is over-activated due to prolonged exposure to a rapidly decreasing temperature or cold temperature, or excessive mental stress, causing blood vessels to constrict and blood circulation disorders. Secondary nature is also said to occur in the presence of causative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. In addition, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and diseases such as discs can accompany it, and hormonal disorders, smoking, drinking alcohol, and prolonged use of vibrating tools such as drills are also presumed to have an effect.
Raynaud’s syndrome is generally known to occur more in women than men because it causes more blood to flow to internal organs such as the uterus and ovaries. In particular, when the autonomic nervous system becomes sensitive due to menopause or childbirth, constriction of blood vessels can occur more easily. Now, let’s learn more about the main symptoms that appear when Raynaud’s syndrome occurs, and various information about treatment and prevention.
Raynaud’s Syndrome Main Symptoms
The main symptom of Raynaud’s syndrome is exposure to cold. The blood vessels in the fingers and toes become constricted sparingly, and the blood does not flow well, causing the skin to turn white. And the skin that has turned white turns blue again, and turns red again. You may also experience paresthesia, such as severe itching, numbness, and pain during this skin toning process.
Raynaud’s syndrome has the same symptoms as cold hands and feet, so the treatment time is delayed or neglected. If the appropriate treatment time is missed, the symptoms will gradually worsen and the pain in the major areas such as the fingers and toes will increase, and if the treatment is more severe, the risk of ulceration and necrosis increases. Therefore, it is important to receive appropriate examinations and treatment through a visit to the hospital when symptoms suspected of developing symptoms appear. In particular, in the case of secondary diseases caused by multiple causative diseases, accurate treatment for the causative disease is very important.
How to treat and prevent Raynaud’s syndrome
1. Accurate diagnosis and treatment
Raynaud’s syndrome is diagnosed by accurately examining changes in skin tone and sensory abnormalities caused by cold exposure or psychological changes. In addition, various test procedures such as physical examination, blood test, and radiographic test can be performed to check the presence of underlying diseases. Even if Raynaud’s syndrome is diagnosed through these various tests, if the symptoms are mild, there are many cases where it improves only with management habits without special treatment. However, if symptoms do not improve with these management habits alone, you can proceed with drug treatment using vasodilators such as calcium blockers and alpha blockers. In addition, surgical treatment methods such as sympathetic nerve block in the fingers and toes or vasodilation surgery, in which a catheter is inserted into a narrowed blood vessel to widen the blood vessel, can be considered.
2. Avoid exposing the skin to low temperatures
To prevent and manage Raynaud’s syndrome, it is important to reduce as much as possible exposure to cold temperatures, cold winds, and cold water, such as hands and feet, of body parts. It is also important to limit outdoor activities as much as possible when it is cold, and to pay special attention to maintaining body temperature and keeping warm by wearing warm clothes and gloves and socks when going out. Also, when wearing clothes, it is better to wear several thin clothes rather than just one thick one to keep the body temperature appropriate to the changing temperature. In addition, to promote blood circulation and to help relax blood vessels, it is said that it is very helpful to take a half-body bath or foot bath regularly.
3. Quit Smoking and Control Caffeine Intake
When smoking, it is recommended to quit smoking to prevent and manage Raynaud’s syndrome because it causes the constriction of peripheral blood vessels, thereby lowering the skin’s body temperature and at the same time causing spasmodic contraction of blood vessels. In addition, excessive consumption of caffeine-containing coffee, beverages, and tea can cause blood vessel constriction, so it is recommended to drink in moderation as much as possible. In addition, please note that excessive drinking and reducing excessive intake of cold food are also important management habits.
4. Stress Management
Severe mental stress causes excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system, constricts blood vessels, and causes blood circulation disorders, which has a great influence on the occurrence and worsening of symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain the habit of properly controlling and managing stress through regular exercise, hobbies, and sufficient rest to prevent stress from accumulating.
In addition, it can be said that it is an important management habit to consume various foods that promote blood circulation and help increase body temperature. Ginger, garlic, cinnamon, chives, sweet pumpkin, and walnuts are a number of foods that fall under this category, so if you consume them regularly, you can get a good effect on prevention and management.
